380.012 Short title.—Sections 380.012, 380.021, 380.031, 380.04, 380.05, 380.06, 380.07, and 380.08 shall be known and may be cited as “The Florida Environmental Land and Water Management Act of 1972.”

History.—s. 1, ch. 72-317; s. 14, ch. 2001-62.

380.021 Purpose.—It is the legislative intent that, in order to protect the natural resources and environment of this state as provided in s. 7, Art. II of the State Constitution, ensure a water management system that will reverse the deterioration of water quality and provide optimum utilization of our limited water resources, facilitate orderly and well-planned development, and protect the health, welfare, safety, and quality of life of the residents of this state, it is necessary adequately to plan for and guide growth and development within this state. In order to accomplish these purposes, it is necessary that the state establish land and water management policies to guide and coordinate local decisions relating to growth and development; that such state land and water management policies should, to the maximum possible extent, be implemented by local governments through existing processes for the guidance of growth and development; and that all the existing rights of private property be preserved in accord with the constitutions of this state and of the United States.

History.—s. 2, ch. 72-317.

380.031 Definitions.—As used in this chapter:

(1) “Administration commission” or “commission” means the Governor and the Cabinet; and for purposes of this chapter the commission shall act on a simple majority.

(2) “Developer” means any person, including a governmental agency, undertaking any development as defined in this chapter.

(3) “Development order” means any order granting, denying, or granting with conditions an application for a development permit.

(4) “Development permit” includes any building permit, zoning permit, plat approval, or rezoning, certification, variance, or other action having the effect of permitting development as defined in this chapter.

(5) “Downtown development authority” means a local governmental agency established under part III of chapter 163 or created with similar powers and responsibilities by special act for the purpose of planning, coordinating, and assisting in the implementation, revitalization, and redevelopment of a specific downtown area of a city.

(6) “Governmental agency” means:

(a) The United States or any department, commission, agency, or other instrumentality thereof;

(b) This state or any department, commission, agency, or other instrumentality thereof;

(c) Any local government, as defined in this chapter, or any department, commission, agency, or other instrumentality thereof;

(d) Any school board or other special district, authority, or other governmental entity.

(7) “Land” means the earth, water, and air above, below, or on the surface, and includes any improvements or structures customarily regarded as land.

(8) “Land development regulations” include local zoning, subdivision, building, and other regulations controlling the development of land.

(9) “Land use” means the development that has occurred on land.

(10) “Local comprehensive plan” means any or all local comprehensive plans or elements or portions thereof prepared, adopted, or amended pursuant to the Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act, as amended.

(11) “Local government” means any county or municipality and, where relevant, any joint airport zoning board.

(12) “Major public facility” means any publicly owned facility of more than local significance.

(13) “Parcel of land” means any quantity of land capable of being described with such definiteness that its location and boundaries may be established, which is designated by its owner or developer as land to be used or developed as a unit or which has been used or developed as a unit.

(14) “Person” means an individual, corporation, governmental agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal entity.

(15) “Regional planning agency” means the agency designated by the state land planning agency to exercise responsibilities under this chapter in a particular region of the state.

(16) “Rule” means a rule adopted under chapter 120.

(17) “State land development plan” means a comprehensive statewide plan or any portion thereof setting forth state land development policies. Such plan shall not have any legal effect until enacted by general law or the Legislature confers express rulemaking authority on the state land planning agency to adopt such plan by rule for specific application.

(18) “State land planning agency” means the Department of Community Affairs and may be referred to in this part as the “department.”

(19) “Structure” means anything constructed, installed, or portable, the use of which requires a location on a parcel of land. It includes a movable structure while it is located on land which can be used for housing, business, commercial, agricultural, or office purposes either temporarily or permanently. “Structure” also includes fences, billboards, swimming pools, poles, pipelines, transmission lines, tracks, and advertising signs.

(20) “Resource planning and management committee” or “committee” means a committee appointed pursuant to s. 380.045.

380.032 State land planning agency; powers and duties.—The state land planning agency shall have the power and the duty to:

(1) Exercise general supervision of the administration and enforcement of this act and all rules and regulations promulgated hereunder.

(2)(a) Adopt or modify rules to carry out the intent and purposes of this act. Such rules shall be consistent with the provisions of this act.

(b) Within 20 days following adoption, any substantially affected party may initiate review of any rule adopted by the state land planning agency interpreting the guidelines and standards by filing a request for review with the Administration Commission and serving a copy on the state land planning agency. Filing a request for review shall stay the effectiveness of the rule pending a decision by the Administration Commission. Within 45 days following receipt of a request for review, the commission shall either reject the rule or approve the rule, with or without modification.

(3) Enter into agreements with any landowner, developer, or governmental agency as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this act or any rules promulgated hereunder.

History.—s. 1, ch. 77-215; s. 2, ch. 80-313; s. 42, ch. 85-55.

380.04 Definition of development.—

(1) The term “development” means the carrying out of any building activity or mining operation, the making of any material change in the use or appearance of any structure or land, or the dividing of land into three or more parcels.

(2) The following activities or uses shall be taken for the purposes of this chapter to involve “development,” as defined in this section:

(a) A reconstruction, alteration of the size, or material change in the external appearance of a structure on land.

(b) A change in the intensity of use of land, such as an increase in the number of dwelling units in a structure or on land or a material increase in the number of businesses, manufacturing establishments, offices, or dwelling units in a structure or on land.

(c) Alteration of a shore or bank of a seacoast, river, stream, lake, pond, or canal, including any “coastal construction” as defined in s. 161.021.

(d) Commencement of drilling, except to obtain soil samples, mining, or excavation on a parcel of land.

(e) Demolition of a structure.

(f) Clearing of land as an adjunct of construction.

(g) Deposit of refuse, solid or liquid waste, or fill on a parcel of land.

(3) The following operations or uses shall not be taken for the purpose of this chapter to involve “development” as defined in this section:

(a) Work by a highway or road agency or railroad company for the maintenance or improvement of a road or railroad track, if the work is carried out on land within the boundaries of the right-of-way.

(b) Work by any utility and other persons engaged in the distribution or transmission of gas, electricity, or water, for the purpose of inspecting, repairing, renewing, or constructing on established rights-of-way any sewers, mains, pipes, cables, utility tunnels, power lines, towers, poles, tracks, or the like. This provision conveys no property interest and does not eliminate any applicable notice requirements to affected land owners.

(c) Work for the maintenance, renewal, improvement, or alteration of any structure, if the work affects only the interior or the color of the structure or the decoration of the exterior of the structure.

(d) The use of any structure or land devoted to dwelling uses for any purpose customarily incidental to enjoyment of the dwelling.

(e) The use of any land for the purpose of growing plants, crops, trees, and other agricultural or forestry products; raising livestock; or for other agricultural purposes.

(f) A change in use of land or structure from a use within a class specified in an ordinance or rule to another use in the same class.

(g) A change in the ownership or form of ownership of any parcel or structure.

(h) The creation or termination of rights of access, riparian rights, easements, covenants concerning development of land, or other rights in land.

(4) “Development,” as designated in an ordinance, rule, or development permit includes all other development customarily associated with it unless otherwise specified. When appropriate to the context, “development” refers to the act of developing or to the result of development. Reference to any specific operation is not intended to mean that the operation or activity, when part of other operations or activities, is not development. Reference to particular operations is not intended to limit the generality of subsection (1).

(1) Prior to recommending an area as an area of critical state concern pursuant to s. 380.05, the Governor, acting as the chief planning officer of the state, shall appoint a resource planning and management committee for the area under study by the state land planning agency. The objective of the committee shall be to organize a voluntary, cooperative resource planning and management program to resolve existing, and prevent future, problems which may endanger those resources, facilities, and areas described in s. 380.05(2) within the area under study by the state land planning agency.

(2) The committee shall include, but shall not be limited to, representation from each of the following: elected officials from the local governments within the area under study; the planning office of each of the local governments within the area under study; the state land planning agency; any other state agency under chapter 20 a representative of which the Governor feels is relevant to the compilation of the committee; and a water management district, if appropriate, and regional planning council all or part of whose jurisdiction lies within the area under study. After the appointment of the members, the Governor shall select a chair and vice chair. A staff member of the state land planning agency shall be appointed by the director of such agency to serve as the secretary of the committee. The state land planning agency shall, to the greatest extent possible, provide technical assistance and administrative support to the committee. Meetings will be called as needed by the chair or on the demand of three or more members of the committee. The committee will act on a simple majority of a quorum present and shall make a report within 6 months to the head of the state land planning agency. The committee shall, from the time of appointment, remain in existence for no less than 6 months.

(3) Not later than 12 months after its appointment by the Governor, the committee shall either adopt a proposed voluntary resource planning and management program for the area under study or recommend that a voluntary resource planning and management program not be adopted. The proposed voluntary resource planning and management program shall contain the committee findings with respect to problems that endanger those resources, facilities, and areas described in s. 380.05(2) and shall contain detailed recommendations for state, regional, and local governmental actions necessary to resolve current and prevent future problems identified by the committee. A major objective of the proposed voluntary resource planning and management program shall be the effective coordination of state, regional, and local planning; program implementation; and regulatory activities for comprehensive resource management. The committee shall submit the proposed voluntary resource planning and management program to the head of the state land planning agency, who shall transmit the program along with the recommendations of the agency for monitoring and enforcing the program, as well as any other recommendations deemed appropriate, to the Administration Commission.

(4) The Administration Commission shall by resolution approve, approve as modified, or reject the proposed voluntary resource planning and management program and state land planning agency recommendations; and the Administration Commission shall request each state or regional agency that is responsible for implementing a portion of an approved program to conduct its programs and regulatory activities in a manner consistent with the approved program. Each state and regional agency involved in implementing the program shall cooperate to the maximum extent possible in ensuring that the program is given full effect.

(5) The state land planning agency shall report to the Administration Commission within 12 months of the approval of the program by the commission concerning the implementation and the effects of the approved voluntary resource planning and management program. The report shall include, but shall not be limited to:

(a) An assessment of state agency compliance with the program, including the degree to which the program recommendations have been integrated into agency planning, program implementation, regulatory activities, and rules;

(b) An assessment of the compliance by each affected local government with the program;

(c) An evaluation of state, regional, and local monitoring and enforcement activities and recommendations for improving such activities; and

(d) A recommendation as to whether or not all or any portion of the study area should be designated an area of critical state concern pursuant to s. 380.05.

The state land planning agency may make such other reports to the commission as it deems necessary, including recommending that all or any portion of the study area be designated an area of critical state concern because of special circumstances in the study area or in the implementation of the approved voluntary resource planning and management program.

History.—s. 2, ch. 79-73; s. 1, ch. 84-281; s. 640, ch. 95-148.

380.05 Areas of critical state concern.—

(1)(a) The state land planning agency may from time to time recommend to the Administration Commission specific areas of critical state concern. In its recommendation, the agency shall include recommendations with respect to the purchase of lands situated within the boundaries of the proposed area as environmentally endangered lands and outdoor recreation lands under the Land Conservation Act of 1972. The agency also shall include any report or recommendation of a resource planning and management committee appointed pursuant to s. 380.045; the dangers that would result from uncontrolled or inadequate development of the area and the advantages that would be achieved from the development of the area in a coordinated manner; a detailed boundary description of the proposed area; specific principles for guiding development within the area; an inventory of lands owned by the state, federal, county, and municipal governments within the proposed area; and a list of the state agencies with programs that affect the purpose of the designation. The agency shall recommend actions which the local government and state and regional agencies must accomplish in order to implement the principles for guiding development. These actions may include, but shall not be limited to, revisions of the local comprehensive plan and adoption of land development regulations, density requirements, and special permitting requirements.

(b) Within 45 days following receipt of a recommendation from the agency, the commission shall either reject the recommendation as tendered or adopt the recommendation with or without modification and by rule designate the area of critical state concern. Any rule that designates an area of critical state concern must include:

1. A detailed boundary description of the area.

2. Principles for guiding development.

3. A clear statement of the purpose for the designation.

4. A precise checklist of actions which, when implemented, will result in repeal of the designation by the Administration Commission, and the agencies or entities responsible for taking those actions.

5. A list of those issues or programs for which mechanisms must be in place to assure ongoing implementation of the actions taken to result in repeal of the designation.

6. A list of the state agencies which, in addition to those specified in subsection (22), administer programs that affect the purpose of the designation.

The rule shall become effective 20 days after being filed with the Secretary of State, except that an emergency rule adopted by the commission and designating an area of critical state concern shall become effective immediately on being filed. Any rule adopted pursuant to this paragraph shall be presented to the Legislature for review pursuant to paragraph (c). A statement of estimated regulatory costs prepared pursuant to s. 120.541 shall not be a ground for a challenge of the rule; however, a landowner shall not be precluded from using adverse economic results as grounds for challenge. Such principles for guiding development shall apply to any development undertaken subsequent to the legislative review pursuant to paragraph (c) of the designation of the area of critical state concern with or without modification but prior to the adoption of land development rules and regulations or a local comprehensive plan for the critical area pursuant to subsections (6) and (8). No boundaries or principles for guiding development shall be adopted without a specific finding by the commission that the boundaries or principles are consistent with the purpose of the designation. The commission is not authorized to adopt any rule that would provide for a moratorium on development in any area of critical state concern.

(c) A rule adopted by the commission pursuant to paragraph (b) designating an area of critical state concern and principles for guiding development shall be submitted to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives for review no later than 30 days prior to the next regular session of the Legislature. The Legislature may reject, modify, or take no action relative to the adopted rule. In its deliberations, the Legislature may consider, among other factors, whether a resource planning and management committee has established a program pursuant to s. 380.045. In addition to any other data and information required pursuant to this chapter, each rule presented to the Legislature shall include a detailed legal description of the boundary of the area of critical state concern, proposed principles for guiding development, and a detailed statement of how the area meets the criteria for designation as provided in subsection (2).

(d) If, after the repeal of the boundary designation of an area of critical state concern pursuant to subsection (15), the state land planning agency determines that the administration of the local land development regulations or a local comprehensive plan within a formerly designated area is inadequate to protect the former area of critical state concern, then the state land planning agency may recommend to the commission that the area be redesignated as an area of critical state concern. Within 45 days following the receipt of the recommendation from the agency, the commission shall either reject the recommendation as tendered or adopt the same with or without modification. The commission may, by rule, make such redesignation effective immediately, at which time the boundaries, regulations, and plans in effect at the time the previous designation was repealed shall be reinstated. Within 90 days of such redesignation, the commission shall begin rulemaking procedures to designate the area an area of critical state concern under paragraph (b).

(2) An area of critical state concern may be designated only for:

(a) An area containing, or having a significant impact upon, environmental or natural resources of regional or statewide importance, including, but not limited to, state or federal parks, forests, wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, aquatic preserves, major rivers and estuaries, state environmentally endangered lands, Outstanding Florida Waters, and aquifer recharge areas, the uncontrolled private or public development of which would cause substantial deterioration of such resources. Specific criteria which shall be considered in designating an area under this paragraph include:

1. Whether the economic value of the area, as determined by the type, variety, distribution, relative scarcity, and condition of the environmental or natural resources within the area, is of substantial regional or statewide importance.

2. Whether the ecological value of the area, as determined by the physical and biological components of the environmental system, is of substantial regional or statewide importance.

3. Whether the area is a designated critical habitat of any state or federally designated threatened or endangered plant or animal species.

4. Whether the area is inherently susceptible to substantial development due to its geographic location or natural aesthetics.

5. Whether any existing or planned substantial development within the area will directly, significantly, and deleteriously affect any or all of the environmental or natural resources of the area which are of regional or statewide importance.

(b) An area containing, or having a significant impact upon, historical or archaeological resources, sites, or statutorily defined historical or archaeological districts, the private or public development of which would cause substantial deterioration or complete loss of such resources, sites, or districts. Specific criteria which shall be considered in designating an area under this paragraph include:

1. Whether the area is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the history of the state or region.

2. Whether the area is associated with the lives of persons who are significant to the history of the state or region.

3. Whether the area contains any structure that embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, that represents the work of a master, that possesses high artistic values, or that represents a significant and distinguishable entity the components of which may lack individual distinction and which are of regional or statewide importance.

4. Whether the area has yielded, or will likely yield, information important to the prehistory or history of the state or region.

(c) An area having a significant impact upon, or being significantly impacted by, an existing or proposed major public facility or other area of major public investment including, but not limited to, highways, ports, airports, energy facilities, and water management projects.

(3) Each regional planning agency may recommend to the state land planning agency from time to time areas wholly or partially within its jurisdiction that meet the criteria for areas of critical state concern as defined in this section. Each regional planning agency shall solicit from the local governments within its jurisdiction suggestions as to areas to be recommended. A local government in an area where there is no regional planning agency may recommend to the state land planning agency from time to time areas wholly or partially within its jurisdiction that meet the criteria for areas of critical state concern as defined in this section. If the state land planning agency does not recommend to the commission as an area of critical state concern an area substantially similar to one that has been recommended, it shall respond in writing as to its reasons therefor.

(4) Prior to submitting any recommendation to the commission under subsection (1), the state land planning agency shall give notice to any committee appointed pursuant to s. 380.045 and to all local governments and regional planning agencies that include within their boundaries any part of any area of critical state concern proposed to be designated by the rule, in addition to any notice otherwise required under chapter 120.

(5) After the commission adopts a rule designating the boundaries of, and principles for guiding development in, an area of critical state concern and within 180 days of such adoption, the local government having jurisdiction may submit to the state land planning agency its existing land development regulations and local comprehensive plan for the area, if any, or shall prepare, adopt, and submit the new or modified regulations and plan, the local government taking into consideration the principles set forth in the rule designating the area.

(6) Once the state land planning agency determines whether the land development regulations or local comprehensive plan or amendment submitted by a local government is consistent with the principles for guiding the development of the area specified under the rule designating the area, the state land planning agency shall approve or reject the land development regulations or portions thereof by final order, and shall determine compliance of the plan or amendment, or portions thereof, pursuant to s. 163.3184. The state land planning agency shall publish its final order to approve or reject land development regulations, which shall constitute final agency action, in the Florida Administrative Weekly. If the final order is challenged pursuant to s. 120.57, the state planning agency has the burden of proving the validity of the final order. Such approval or rejection of the land development regulations shall be no later than 60 days after submission of the land development regulations by the local government. No proposed land development regulation within an area of critical state concern becomes effective under this subsection until the state land planning agency issues its final order or, if the final order is challenged, until the challenge to the order is resolved pursuant to chapter 120.

(7) The state land planning agency and any applicable regional planning agency shall, to the greatest extent possible, provide technical assistance to local governments in the preparation of the land development regulations and local comprehensive plan for areas of critical state concern.

(8) If any local government fails to submit land development regulations or a local comprehensive plan, or if the regulations or plan or plan amendment submitted do not comply with the principles for guiding development set out in the rule designating the area of critical state concern, within 120 days after the adoption of the rule designating an area of critical state concern, or within 120 days after the issuance of a recommended order on the compliance of the plan or plan amendment pursuant to s. 163.3184, or within 120 days after the effective date of an order rejecting a proposed land development regulation, the state land planning agency shall submit to the commission recommended land development regulations and a local comprehensive plan or portions thereof applicable to that local government’s portion of the area of critical state concern. Within 45 days following receipt of the recommendation from the agency, the commission shall either reject the recommendation as tendered or adopt the recommendation with or without modification, and by rule establish land development regulations and a local comprehensive plan applicable to that local government’s portion of the area of critical state concern. However, such rule shall not become effective prior to legislative review of an area of critical state concern pursuant to paragraph (1)(c). In the rule, the commission shall specify the extent to which its land development regulations, plans, or plan amendments will supersede, or will be supplementary to, local land development regulations and plans. Notice of any proposed rule issued under this section shall be given to all local governments and regional planning agencies in the area of critical state concern, in addition to any other notice required under chapter 120. The land development regulations and local comprehensive plan adopted by the commission under this section may include any type of regulation and plan that could have been adopted by the local government. Any land development regulations or local comprehensive plan or plan amendments adopted by the commission under this section shall be administered by the local government as part of, or in the absence of, the local land development regulations and local comprehensive plan.

(9) If, within 12 months after the commission adopts a rule designating an area of critical state concern, land development regulations or local comprehensive plans for the area have not become effective under either subsection (6) or subsection (8), the designation of the area as an area of critical state concern terminates. No part of such area may be recommended for redesignation until at least 12 months after the date the designation terminates pursuant to this subsection. The running of the 12-month period subsequent to the initial designation shall be tolled upon challenge pursuant to the provisions of chapter 120 to either the designation of the area of critical state concern or the adoption of land development regulations and local comprehensive plans under subsection (6) or subsection (8).

(10) At any time after the adoption of land development regulations and plans by the commission under this section, a local government may propose land development regulations or a local comprehensive plan which, if approved by the state land planning agency as provided in subsection (6), will supersede any regulations or plans adopted under subsection (8).

(11) Land development regulations or a local comprehensive plan submitted by a local government in an area of critical state concern and approved pursuant to subsection (6) may be amended or rescinded by the local government, but the amendment or rescission becomes effective only upon approval thereof by the state land planning agency. The state land planning agency shall either approve or reject the requested changes within 60 days of receipt thereof. Land development regulations or local comprehensive plans for an area of critical state concern adopted by the commission under subsection (8) may be amended or rescinded by rule by the commission in the same manner as for original adoption.

(12) Upon the request of a substantially interested person pursuant to s. 120.54(7), a local government or regional planning agency within the designated area, or the state land planning agency, the commission may by rule remove, contract, or expand any designated boundary. Boundary expansions are subject to legislative review pursuant to paragraph (1)(c). No boundary may be modified without a specific finding by the commission that such changes are consistent with necessary resource protection. The total boundaries of an entire area of critical state concern shall not be removed by the commission unless a minimum time of 1 year has elapsed from the adoption of regulations and a local comprehensive plan pursuant to subsection (1), subsection (6), subsection (8), or subsection (10). Before totally removing such boundaries, the commission shall make findings that the regulations and plans adopted pursuant to subsection (1), subsection (6), subsection (8), or subsection (10) are being effectively implemented by local governments within the area of critical state concern to protect the area and that adopted local government comprehensive plans within the area have been conformed to principles for guiding development for the area.

(13) If the state land planning agency determines that the administration of the local land development regulations or local comprehensive plans within the area is inadequate to protect the state or regional interest prior to the repeal of the critical state concern designation pursuant to subsection (15), the state land planning agency may institute appropriate judicial proceedings, as provided in s. 380.11, to compel proper enforcement of the land development regulations or plans.

(14) Any local government which lies either wholly or partially within an area of critical state concern and which has previously adopted a local government comprehensive plan pursuant to chapter 163 shall conform such plan to the principles for guiding development for the area of critical state concern. No later than January 1, 1984, or any other time as agreed upon in writing by the state land planning agency and the governing body of the local government, these plans shall be submitted to the state land planning agency for review and action as provided in subsection (6) or subsection (8).

(15) Any rule adopted pursuant to this section designating the boundaries of an area of critical state concern and the principles for guiding development therein shall be repealed by the commission no earlier than 12 months and no later than 3 years after approval by the state land planning agency or adoption by the commission of all land development regulations and local comprehensive plans pursuant to subsection (6), subsection (8), or subsection (10), and the implementation of all the actions listed in the designation rule for repeal of the designation. Any repeal pursuant to this subsection may be limited to any portion of the area of critical state concern. The repeal must be contingent upon approval by the state land planning agency of local land development regulations and plans pursuant to subsection (6) or subsection (10) and upon such regulations and plans being effective for a period of 12 months.

(16) No person shall undertake any development within any area of critical state concern except in accordance with this chapter.

(17) If an area of critical state concern has been designated under subsection (1) and if land development regulations for the area of critical state concern have not yet become effective under subsection (6) or subsection (8), a local government may grant development permits in accordance with such land development regulations as were in effect immediately prior to the designation of the area as an area of critical state concern.

(18) Neither the designation of an area of critical state concern nor the adoption of any regulations for such an area shall in any way limit or modify the rights of any person to complete any development that was authorized by registration of a subdivision pursuant to former chapter 498 or former chapter 478, by recordation pursuant to local subdivision plat law, or by a building permit or other authorization to commence development on which there has been reliance and a change of position, and which registration or recordation was accomplished, or which permit or authorization was issued, prior to the approval under subsection (6), or the adoption under subsection (8), of land development regulations for the area of critical state concern. If a developer has by his or her actions in reliance on prior regulations obtained vested or other legal rights that in law would have prevented a local government from changing those regulations in a way adverse to the developer’s interests, nothing in this chapter authorizes any governmental agency to abridge those rights.

(19) In addition to any other notice required to be given under the local land development regulations, the local government shall give notice to the state land planning agency of any application for a development permit in any area of critical state concern, except to the extent that the state land planning agency has in writing waived its right to such notice in regard to all or certain classes of such applications. The state land planning agency may by rule specify additional classes of persons who shall have the right to receive notices of, and participate in, hearings under this section.

(20) At no time shall a land area be designated an area of critical state concern if the effect of such designation would be to subject more than 5 percent of the land of the state to supervision under this section; except that, if any supervision by the state is retained, the area shall be considered to be included within the limitations of this subsection. If 5 percent of the lands of the state are designated as areas of critical state concern pursuant to this section, a redesignation pursuant to paragraph (1)(d) will not be prohibited by this subsection.

(21) Within 30 days after the effective date of the designation of an area of critical state concern pursuant to paragraph (1)(c) or paragraph (1)(d), the state land planning agency shall record a legal description of the boundaries of the area of critical state concern in the public records of the county or counties in which the area of critical state concern is located.

(22) All state agencies with rulemaking authority for programs that affect a designated area of critical state concern shall review those programs for consistency with the purpose of the designation and principles for guiding development, and shall adopt specific permitting standards and criteria applicable in the designated area, or otherwise amend the program, as necessary to further the purpose of the designation.

(a)1. Within 6 months after the effective date of the rule or statute that designates an area of critical state concern, and at any time thereafter as directed by the Administration Commission, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Health, the water management districts with jurisdiction over any portion of the area of critical state concern, and any other state agency specified in the designation rule, shall each submit a report to the Administration Commission, and a copy of the report to the state land planning agency. The report shall evaluate the effect of the reporting agency’s programs upon the purpose of the designation.

2. If different permitting standards or criteria, or other changes to the program, are necessary in order to further the purpose of the designation, the report shall recommend rules which further that purpose and which are consistent with the principles for guiding development. The report shall explain and justify the reasons for any different permitting standards or criteria that may be recommended. The commission shall reject the agency’s recommendation, or accept it with or without modification and direct the agency to adopt rules, including any changes. Any rule adopted pursuant to this paragraph shall be consistent with the principles for guiding development, and shall apply only within the boundary of the designated area. The agency shall file a copy of the adopted rule with the Administration Commission and the state land planning agency.

3. If statutory changes are required in order to implement the permitting standards or criteria that are necessary to further the purpose of the designation, the report shall recommend statutory amendments. The Administration Commission shall submit any report that recommends statutory amendments to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, together with the Administration Commission’s recommendation on the proposed amendments.

(b) The Administration Commission has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(1)(a) In order to facilitate the planning and preparation of permit applications for projects in the Florida Keys area of critical state concern, and in order to coordinate the information required to issue such permits, a developer may elect to request coordinated agency review under this section at the time of application for a development permit subject to s. 380.05.

(b) “Coordinated agency review” means review of the proposed location, densities, intensity of use, character, major design features, and environmental impacts of a proposed development in the Florida Keys area of critical state concern required to undergo review under s. 380.05 for the purposes of considering whether these aspects of the proposed development comply with the certifying agency’s statutes and rules.

(2)(a) If a developer chooses to seek review under this section, the developer shall complete a coordinated review application and the state land planning agency shall distribute copies of the application to participating agencies. Each state and regional agency with jurisdiction over the project shall certify, within 60 days of receipt of such application, whether the project is consistent with agency statutes and rules.

(b) The Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Health, and other state and regional agencies that require permits in the Florida Keys area of critical state concern shall, within 180 days after the effective date of this act, enter into interagency agreements with the state land planning agency to establish a set of procedures necessary for coordinated agency review created pursuant to this section. Such procedures shall be consistent with paragraph (a).

(c) State and regional agencies shall enter into intergovernmental agreements with local governments in the Florida Keys area of critical state concern to coordinate their permit review, including delegation of review authority to local governments, where applicable, to ensure that state and regional agency decisions are reached in coordination with the local government decision on the local government order.

(3) State and regional agencies shall coordinate with local governments and, when possible, federal permitting agencies to standardize, to the extent possible, review procedures, data requirements, and data collection methodologies among all participating agencies operating in the Florida Keys area of critical state concern consistent with the requirements of the statutes for permitting programs for each agency.

(4) State and regional agencies may adopt rules to implement the procedures for coordinated agency review under this section.

(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section shall be known and may be cited as “The Big Cypress Conservation Act of 1973.”

(2) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—It is the intent of the Legislature to conserve and protect the natural resources and scenic beauty of the Big Cypress Area of Florida. It is the finding of the Legislature that the Big Cypress Area is an area containing and having a significant impact upon environmental and natural resources of regional and statewide importance and that designation of the area as an area of critical state concern is desirable and necessary to accomplish the purposes of “The Florida Environmental Land and Water Management Act of 1972” and to implement s. 7, Art. II of the State Constitution.

(3) DESIGNATION AS AREA OF CRITICAL STATE CONCERN.—The “Big Cypress Area,” as defined in this subsection, is hereby designated as an area of critical state concern. “Big Cypress Area” means the area generally depicted on the map entitled “Boundary Map, Big Cypress National Freshwater Reserve, Florida,” numbered BC-91,001 and dated November 1971, which is on file and available for public inspection in the office of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C., and in the office of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, which is the area proposed as the Federal Big Cypress National Freshwater Reserve, Florida, and that area described as follows: Sections 1, 2, 11, 12 and 13 in Township 49 South, Range 31 East; and Township 49 South, Range 32 East, less Sections 19, 30 and 31; and Township 49 South, Range 33 East; and Township 49 South, Range 34 East; and Sections 1 through 5 and 10 through 14 in Township 50 South, Range 32 East; and Sections 1 through 18 and 20 through 25 in Township 50 South, Range 33 East; and Township 50 South, Range 34 East, less Section 31; and Sections 1 and 2 in Township 51 South, Range 34 East; All in Collier County, Florida, which described area shall be known as the “Big Cypress National Preserve Addition, Florida,” together with such contiguous land and water areas as are ecologically linked with the Everglades National Park, certain of the estuarine fisheries of South Florida, or the freshwater aquifer of South Florida, the definitive boundaries of which shall be set in the following manner: Within 120 days following the effective date of this act, the state land planning agency shall recommend definitive boundaries for the Big Cypress Area to the Administration Commission, after giving notice to all local governments and regional planning agencies which include within their boundaries any part of the area proposed to be included in the Big Cypress Area and holding such hearings as the state land planning agency deems appropriate. Within 45 days following receipt of the recommended boundaries, the Administration Commission shall adopt, modify, or reject the recommendation and shall by rule establish the boundaries of the area defined as the Big Cypress Area.

(4) ADOPTION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.—The provisions of s. 380.05(5)-(11), (17), and (20) shall not apply to the Big Cypress Area. All other provisions of this chapter shall apply to the Big Cypress Area. Any provision of this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, the state land planning agency has the right, and its duty shall be, to submit recommended land development regulations applicable to the Big Cypress Area to the Administration Commission concurrent with the boundaries recommended pursuant to subsection (3). The Administration Commission shall either reject the recommendation as tendered or adopt the same by rule with or without modification. The commission shall specify the extent to which regulations adopted pursuant to this section supersede local land development regulations.

(5) ACQUISITION OF BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE.—

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide the means to accomplish an agreement between the State of Florida and the Government of the United States, whereby the state will contribute toward the cost of a program of acquisition of land and water areas and related rights and interests within the area proposed as the Federal Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund begin immediately an acquisition program within the area proposed as the Federal Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, on behalf of the state pending action by the Government of the United States in the Big Cypress Area.

(b) The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund shall set aside from the proceeds of the full faith and credit bonds authorized by the Land Conservation Act of 1972, or from other funds authorized, appropriated, or allocated for the acquisition of environmentally endangered lands, or from both sources, $40 million for acquisition of the area proposed as the Federal Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, or portions thereof.

(c) The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund is empowered to acquire land and water areas within the Federal Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, created by Pub. L. No. 93-440, in order to conserve and protect the natural resources and scenic beauty therein and to donate and convey title in land and water areas so acquired or currently owned by the state to the Government of the United States or its agency upon the expenditure by the United States of an amount of federal funds at least equal to the acquisition cost of the land and water areas donated by the state. The intent of this condition for the donation of land and water areas by the state is to ensure that the investment of federal funds in the acquisition of land and water areas for the Big Cypress National Preserve will be not less than the investment of state funds in the land and water areas so donated. In making such acquisitions, the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund shall give priority to those land and water areas within the area proposed as the Federal Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, which are essential to the integrity of the environment, the destruction of which would cause irreparable damage to the Everglades National Park, the estuarine fisheries of South Florida, or the underlying freshwater aquifer.

(6) FUNCTION OF WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT.—It is the finding of the Legislature that the Big Cypress Area, as a water storage and recharge area, is an integral part of the water resources of any water management district of which the Big Cypress Area is or may be a part. It is the legislative intent that there be close cooperation and coordination of efforts between the water management district and the Department of Environmental Protection in carrying out the intent and purposes of this section. The secretary is authorized to delegate to the water management district, or to a board therein, any power authorized in this section to be exercised by the department, and the district or basin is authorized to accept the powers delegated to it and shall have the power and duty to carry out the intent and purposes of this section to the fullest extent possible within its capabilities and resources.

(7) EMINENT DOMAIN WITHIN BIG CYPRESS AREA AND BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE ADDITION.—The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund is empowered and authorized to acquire by the exercise of the power of eminent domain any land or water areas and related resources and property, and any and all rights, title, and interest in such land or water areas and related resources and other property, lying within the boundaries of the Big Cypress Area and Big Cypress National Preserve Addition. The Legislature finds that the exercise of the power of eminent domain within the Big Cypress Area and Big Cypress National Preserve Addition to accomplish the purposes of this section is necessary and for a public purpose.

(8) INDIAN RIGHTS.—Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, members of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida may continue their usual and customary use and occupancy of lands and waters within the Big Cypress Area, including hunting, fishing, and trapping on a subsistence basis and traditional tribal ceremonials. Nothing in this section shall be construed to deny or impair, or authorize the denial or impairment, of any rights granted by or pursuant to chapter 285 relative to Indian reservation and affairs, and the lands of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, as described in s. 285.061(1), shall be excluded from the Big Cypress Area as defined in this section.

(9) ACQUISITION OF BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE ADDITION.—

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide the means to accomplish an agreement between the State of Florida and the Government of the United States whereby the state will contribute toward the cost of a program of acquisition of land and water areas and related rights and interests within the area proposed as the Federal Big Cypress National Preserve Addition, Florida. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Governor and the Cabinet begin an acquisition program within the area designated as the Big Cypress National Preserve Addition on behalf of the state pending action by the Government of the United States in the Big Cypress Area.

(b) The Governor and Cabinet are empowered to acquire land and water areas within the Federal Big Cypress National Preserve Addition, in order to conserve and protect the natural resources and scenic beauty therein and to donate and convey title in land and water areas so acquired or currently owned by the state to the Government of the United States or its agency upon the expenditure by the United States of an amount of federal funds sufficient to pay the remaining 80 percent of the cost of acquiring such lands. The intent of this condition for the donation of land and water areas by the state is to ensure that the investment of federal funds in the acquisition of land and water areas for the Big Cypress National Preserve Addition will amount to 80 percent of the cost thereof and the state’s investment shall amount to 20 percent of such costs in total. In making such acquisitions, the Governor and Cabinet shall give priority to those land and water areas within the area proposed as the Federal Big Cypress National Preserve Addition, Florida, which are essential to the integrity of the environment, the destruction of which would cause irreparable damage to the Everglades National Park, the Big Cypress National Preserve, the estuarine fisheries of South Florida, or the underlying freshwater aquifer.

(10) ACQUISITION OF BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE AND ADDITION BY ALTERNATE METHODS.—For purposes of acquisition in the Big Cypress Area and Big Cypress National Preserve Addition, the acquisition procedures provided in chapter 337 may be utilized in lieu of chapter 253 where appropriate. The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund is authorized to enter into an interagency agreement with the Department of Transportation wherein the Department of Transportation may acquire lands in the Big Cypress Area and Big Cypress National Preserve Addition on behalf of the board of trustees and be reimbursed therefor in a share proportionate to the value of the interest acquired. Such acquired property shall be titled in the name of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, except that the Department of Transportation shall retain title to that portion of the property needed for highway right-of-way.

380.0551 Green Swamp Area; designation as area of critical state concern.—

(1) The Green Swamp Area, the boundaries of which are described in 1chapter 22F-5, Florida Administrative Code, is hereby designated an area of critical state concern effective July 1, 1979. The state land planning agency, in conjunction with the applicable local governments, shall review suggested changes to the existing boundary in the area immediately to the south of the southern boundary of the City of Clermont in Lake County and the area along the existing southern boundary around Lake Juliana and the City of Polk City in Polk County for possible deletion from the area of critical state concern. The state land planning agency shall report to, and shall make specific recommendations to, the commission relative to any proposed deletion by August 1, 1979. The commission shall take action on the recommendations of the state planning agency no later than October 1, 1979. 1Chapters 22F-5, 22F-6, and 22F-7, Florida Administrative Code, are hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference. The boundaries described in 1chapter 22F-5, Florida Administrative Code, shall be modified pursuant to s. 380.05(12). There shall be appointed a resource planning and management committee as provided in s. 380.045.

(2) The land development regulations contained in 1chapters 22F-6 and 22F-7, Florida Administrative Code, shall be the land development regulations for the applicable local government’s portion of the area of critical state concern until either:

(a) An applicable local government complies with the provisions of s. 380.05(10); or

(b) Such regulations are repealed pursuant to subsection (3).

(3) 1Chapters 22F-5, 22F-6, and 22F-7, Florida Administrative Code, shall be repealed by the commission no earlier than July 1, 1980, and no later than July 1, 1982. Upon recommendation by the state land planning agency to the commission, any repeal of such rules pursuant to this subsection may be effective only for one local government’s portion of the Green Swamp Area. Such repeal shall be contingent upon approval by the state land planning agency of local land development regulations pursuant to s. 380.05(6) or (10), upon such regulations being effective for a period of 12 months, and upon adoption or modification by the applicable local government of a local government comprehensive plan pursuant to s. 380.05(14).

History.—s. 5, ch. 79-73.

1Note.—The provisions of former chapters 22F-5, 22F-6, and 22F-7 have been transferred to other sections of the Florida Administrative Code.

1380.0552 Florida Keys Area; protection and designation as area of critical state concern.—

(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Florida Keys Area Protection Act.”

(2) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—It is the intent of the Legislature to:

(a) Establish a land use management system that protects the natural environment of the Florida Keys.

(b) Establish a land use management system that conserves and promotes the community character of the Florida Keys.

(c) Establish a land use management system that promotes orderly and balanced growth in accordance with the capacity of available and planned public facilities and services.

(d) Provide affordable housing in close proximity to places of employment in the Florida Keys.

(e) Establish a land use management system that promotes and supports a diverse and sound economic base.

(f) Protect the constitutional rights of property owners to own, use, and dispose of their real property.

(g) Promote coordination and efficiency among governmental agencies that have permitting jurisdiction over land use activities in the Florida Keys.

(h) Promote an appropriate land acquisition and protection strategy for environmentally sensitive lands within the Florida Keys.

(i) Protect and improve the nearshore water quality of the Florida Keys through the construction and operation of wastewater management facilities that meet the requirements of ss. 381.0065(4)(l) and 403.086(10), as applicable.

(j) Ensure that the population of the Florida Keys can be safely evacuated.

(3) RATIFICATION OF DESIGNATION.—The designation of the Florida Keys Area as an area of critical state concern, the boundaries of which are described in chapter 27F-8, Florida Administrative Code, as amended effective August 23, 1984, is hereby ratified.

(4) REMOVAL OF DESIGNATION.—

(a) The designation of the Florida Keys Area as an area of critical state concern under this section may be recommended for removal upon fulfilling the legislative intent under subsection (2) and completion of all the work program tasks specified in rules of the Administration Commission.

(b) Beginning November 30, 2010, the state land planning agency shall annually submit a written report to the Administration Commission describing the progress of the Florida Keys Area toward completing the work program tasks specified in commission rules. The land planning agency shall recommend removing the Florida Keys Area from being designated as an area of critical state concern to the commission if it determines that:

1. All of the work program tasks have been completed, including construction of, operation of, and connection to central wastewater management facilities pursuant to s. 403.086(10) and upgrade of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems pursuant to s. 381.0065(4)(l);

2. All local comprehensive plans and land development regulations and the administration of such plans and regulations are adequate to protect the Florida Keys Area, fulfill the legislative intent specified in subsection (2), and are consistent with and further the principles guiding development; and

3. A local government has adopted a resolution at a public hearing recommending the removal of the designation.

(c) After receipt of the state land planning agency report and recommendation, the Administration Commission shall determine whether the requirements have been fulfilled and may remove the designation of the Florida Keys as an area of critical state concern. If the commission removes the designation, it shall initiate rulemaking to repeal any rules relating 2to such designation within 60 days. If, after receipt of the state land planning agency’s report and recommendation, the commission finds that the requirements for recommending removal of designation have not been met, the commission shall provide a written report to the local governments within 30 days after making such a finding detailing the tasks that must be completed by the local government.

(d) The Administration Commission’s determination concerning the removal of the designation of the Florida Keys as an area of critical state concern may be reviewed pursuant to chapter 120. All proceedings shall be conducted by the Division of Administrative Hearings and must be initiated within 30 days after the commission issues its determination.

(e) After removal of the designation of the Florida Keys as an area of critical state concern, the state land planning agency shall review proposed local comprehensive plans, and any amendments to existing comprehensive plans, which are applicable to the Florida Keys Area, the boundaries of which were described in chapter 28-29, Florida Administrative Code, as of January 1, 2006, for compliance as defined in s. 163.3184. All procedures and penalties described in s. 163.3184 apply to the review conducted pursuant to this paragraph.

(f) The Administration Commission may adopt rules or revise existing rules as necessary to administer this subsection.

(5) APPLICATION OF THIS CHAPTER.—Section 380.05(1)-(5), (9)-(11), (15), (17), and (21) shall not apply to the area designated by this section for so long as the designation remains in effect. Except as otherwise provided in this section, s. 380.045 shall not apply to the area designated by this section. All other provisions of this chapter shall apply, including s. 380.07.

(6) RESOURCE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.—The Governor, acting as the chief planning officer of the state, shall appoint a resource planning and management committee for the Florida Keys Area with the membership as specified in s. 380.045(2). Meetings shall be called as needed by the chair or on the demand of three or more members of the committee. The committee shall:

(a) Serve as a liaison between the state and local governments within Monroe County.

(b) Develop, with local government officials in the Florida Keys Area, recommendations to the state land planning agency as to the sufficiency of the Florida Keys Area’s comprehensive plan and land development regulations.

(c) Recommend to the state land planning agency changes to state and regional plans and regulatory programs affecting the Florida Keys Area.

(d) Assist units of local government within the Florida Keys Area in carrying out the planning functions and other responsibilities required by this section.

(e) Review, at a minimum, all reports and other materials provided to it by the state land planning agency or other governmental agencies.

(7) PRINCIPLES FOR GUIDING DEVELOPMENT.—State, regional, and local agencies and units of government in the Florida Keys Area shall coordinate their plans and conduct their programs and regulatory activities consistent with the principles for guiding development as specified in chapter 27F-8, Florida Administrative Code, as amended effective August 23, 1984, which is adopted and incorporated herein by reference. For the purposes of reviewing the consistency of the adopted plan, or any amendments to that plan, with the principles for guiding development, and any amendments to the principles, the principles shall be construed as a whole and specific provisions may not be construed or applied in isolation from the other provisions. However, the principles for guiding development are repealed 18 months from July 1, 1986. After repeal, any plan amendments must be consistent with the following principles:

(a) Strengthening local government capabilities for managing land use and development so that local government is able to achieve these objectives without continuing the area of critical state concern designation.

(i) Protecting and improving water quality by providing for the construction, operation, maintenance, and replacement of stormwater management facilities; central sewage collection; treatment and disposal facilities; and the installation and proper operation and maintenance of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems.

(j) Ensuring the improvement of nearshore water quality by requiring the construction and operation of wastewater management facilities that meet the requirements of ss. 381.0065(4)(l) and 403.086(10), as applicable, and by directing growth to areas served by central wastewater treatment facilities through permit allocation systems.

(k) Limiting the adverse impacts of public investments on the environmental resources of the Florida Keys.

(l) Making available adequate affordable housing for all sectors of the population of the Florida Keys.

(m) Providing adequate alternatives for the protection of public safety and welfare in the event of a natural or manmade disaster and for a postdisaster reconstruction plan.

(n) Protecting the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Florida Keys and maintaining the Florida Keys as a unique Florida resource.

(8) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ELEMENTS AND LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.—The comprehensive plan elements and land development regulations approved pursuant to s. 380.05(6), (8), and (14) shall be the comprehensive plan elements and land development regulations for the Florida Keys Area.

(9) MODIFICATION TO PLANS AND REGULATIONS.—

(a) Any land development regulation or element of a local comprehensive plan in the Florida Keys Area may be enacted, amended, or rescinded by a local government, but the enactment, amendment, or rescission becomes effective only upon approval by the state land planning agency. The state land planning agency shall review the proposed change to determine if it is in compliance with the principles for guiding development specified in chapter 27F-8, Florida Administrative Code, as amended effective August 23, 1984, and must approve or reject the requested changes within 60 days after receipt. Amendments to local comprehensive plans in the Florida Keys Area must also be reviewed for compliance with the following:

1. Construction schedules and detailed capital financing plans for wastewater management improvements in the annually adopted capital improvements element, and standards for the construction of wastewater treatment and disposal facilities or collection systems that meet or exceed the criteria in s. 403.086(10) for wastewater treatment and disposal facilities or s. 381.0065(4)(l) for onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems.

2. Goals, objectives, and policies to protect public safety and welfare in the event of a natural disaster by maintaining a hurricane evacuation clearance time for permanent residents of no more than 24 hours. The hurricane evacuation clearance time shall be determined by a hurricane evacuation study conducted in accordance with a professionally accepted methodology and approved by the state land planning agency.

(b) The state land planning agency, after consulting with the appropriate local government, may, no more than once per year, recommend to the Administration Commission the enactment, amendment, or rescission of a land development regulation or element of a local comprehensive plan. Within 45 days following the receipt of such recommendation, the commission shall reject the recommendation, or accept it with or without modification and adopt it by rule, including any changes. Such local development regulation or plan must be in compliance with the principles for guiding development.

1Note.—Section 7, ch. 2006-223, provides that “[i]f the designation of the Florida Keys Area as an area of critical state concern is removed, the state shall be liable in any inverse condemnation action initiated as a result of Monroe County land use regulations applicable to the Florida Keys Area as described in chapter 28-29, Florida Administrative Code, and adopted pursuant to instructions from the Administration Commission or pursuant to administrative rule of the Administration Commission, to the same extent that the state was liable on the date the Administration Commission determined that substantial progress had been made toward accomplishing the tasks of the work program as defined in s. 380.0552(4)(c), Florida Statutes. If, after the designation of the Florida Keys Area as an area of critical state concern is removed, an inverse condemnation action is initiated based upon land use regulations that were not adopted pursuant to instructions from the Administration Commission or pursuant to administrative rule of the Administration Commission and in effect on the date of the designation’s removal, the state’s liability in the inverse condemnation action shall be determined by the courts in the manner in which the state’s liability is determined in areas that are not areas of critical state concern. The state shall have standing to appear in any inverse condemnation action.”

2Note.—The word “to” was inserted by the editors.

380.0555 Apalachicola Bay Area; protection and designation as area of critical state concern.—

(1) SHORT TITLE.—This act shall be known and cited as the “Apalachicola Bay Area Protection Act.”

(2) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—It is hereby declared that the intent of the Legislature is:

(a) To protect the water quality of the Apalachicola Bay Area to ensure a healthy environment and a thriving economy for the residents of the area and the state.

(b) To financially assist Franklin County and its municipalities in upgrading and expanding their sewerage systems.

(c) To protect the Apalachicola Bay Area’s natural and economic resources by implementing and enforcing comprehensive plans and land development regulations.

(d) To assist Franklin County and its municipalities with technical and advisory assistance in formulating additional land development regulations and modifications to comprehensive plans.

(e) To monitor activities within the Apalachicola Bay Area to ensure the long-term protection of all the area’s resources.

(f) To promote a broad base of economic growth which is compatible with the protection and conservation of the natural resources of the Apalachicola Bay Area.

(g) To educate the residents of the Apalachicola Bay Area in order to protect and preserve its natural resources.

(3) DESIGNATION.—Franklin County, as described in s. 7.19, less all federally owned lands, less all lands lying east of the line formed by the eastern boundary of State Road 319 running from the Ochlockonee River to the intersection of State Road 319 and State Road 98 and thence due south to the Gulf of Mexico, and less any lands removed under subsection (4), is hereby designated an area of critical state concern on June 18, 1985. State road, for the purpose of this section, shall be defined as in s. 334.03. For the purposes of this act, this area shall be known as the Apalachicola Bay Area.

(4) REMOVAL OF DESIGNATION.—The state land planning agency may recommend to the Administration Commission the removal of the designation from all or part of the area specified in subsection (3), if it determines that all local land development regulations and local comprehensive plans and the administration of such regulations and plans are adequate to protect the Apalachicola Bay Area, continue to carry out the legislative intent set forth in subsection (2), and are in compliance with the principles for guiding development set forth in subsection (7). If the Administration Commission concurs with the recommendations of the state land planning agency to remove any area from the designation, it shall, within 45 days after receipt of the recommendation, initiate rulemaking to remove the designation. The state land planning agency shall make recommendations to the Administration Commission annually.

(5) APPLICATION OF CHAPTER 380 PROVISIONS.—Section 380.05(1)-(6), (8)-(12), (15), (17), and (21), shall not apply to the area designated by this act for so long as the designation remains in effect. Except as otherwise provided in this act, s. 380.045 shall not apply to the area designated by this act. All other provisions of this chapter shall apply, including ss. 380.07 and 380.11, except that the “local development regulations” in s. 380.05(13) shall include the regulations set forth in subsection (8) for purposes of s. 380.05(13), and the plan or plans submitted pursuant to s. 380.05(14) shall be submitted no later than February 1, 1986. All or part of the area designated by this act may be redesignated pursuant to s. 380.05 as if it had been initially designated pursuant to that section.

(6) VESTED RIGHTS OF DEVELOPER.—If a developer has by his or her actions in reliance on prior regulations obtained vested or other legal rights including rights obtained by approval of a development of regional impact or a substantial deviation thereof pursuant to s. 380.06 that would have prevented a local government from changing those regulations in a way adverse to the developer’s interests, nothing in this act authorizes any governmental agency to abridge those rights.

(7) PRINCIPLES FOR GUIDING DEVELOPMENT.—State, regional, and local agencies and units of government in the Apalachicola Bay Area shall coordinate their plans and conduct their programs and regulatory activities consistently with the following principles for guiding the development of the area:

(a) Land development shall be guided so that the basic functions and productivity of the Apalachicola Bay Area’s natural land and water systems will be conserved to reduce or avoid health, safety, and economic problems for present and future residents of the Apalachicola Bay Area.

(b) Land development shall be consistent with a safe environment, adequate community facilities, a superior quality of life, and a desire to minimize environmental hazards.

(c) Growth and diversification of the local economy shall be fostered only if it is consistent with protecting the natural resources of the Apalachicola Bay Area through appropriate management of the land and water systems.

(d) Aquatic habitats and wildlife resources of the Apalachicola Bay Area shall be conserved and protected.

(e) Water quantity shall be managed to conserve and protect the natural resources and the scenic beauty of the Apalachicola Bay Area.

(f) The quality of water shall be protected, maintained, and improved for public water supplies, the propagation of aquatic life, and recreational and other uses which are consistent with these uses.

(g) No wastes shall be discharged into any waters of the Apalachicola Bay Area without first being given the degree of treatment necessary to protect the water uses as set forth in paragraph (f).

(h) Stormwater discharges shall be managed in order to minimize their impacts on the bay system and protect the uses as set forth in paragraph (f).

(i) Coastal dune systems, specifically the area extending landward from the extreme high-tide line to the beginning of the pinelands of the Apalachicola Bay Area, shall be protected.

(j) Public lands shall be managed, enhanced, and protected so that the public may continue to enjoy the traditional use of such lands.

(8) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ELEMENTS AND LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.—

(a) Local governments to administer plan elements and regulations.—The following comprehensive plan elements and land development regulations shall be administered by local governments within their jurisdiction in the Apalachicola Bay Area, as part of their local comprehensive plan and land development regulations. If a local government within the Apalachicola Bay Area has a provision in its local comprehensive plan or its land development regulations which conflicts with a provision of this paragraph or has no comparable provision, the provision of this paragraph shall control.

1. Comprehensive plan.—Chapter 1 of Volume I, and chapters 4, 5, 7, and 9 of Volume II of the Franklin County Comprehensive Land Use Plan adopted by Ordinance No. 81-4 on June 22, 1981, by the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners and filed with the Secretary of State on June 30, 1981, are incorporated by reference and adopted herein.

2. Zoning ordinances.—Ordinance No. 81-5 adopted June 22, 1981, by the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners and filed with the Secretary of State on June 30, 1981, and the following amendments are incorporated by reference and adopted herein:

a. Ordinance 82-4, adopted June 18, 1982, and filed with the Secretary of State on July 28, 1982.

b. Ordinance 83-4, adopted July 19, 1983, and filed with the Secretary of State on July 25, 1983.

c. Ordinance 83-7, adopted October 4, 1983, and filed with the Secretary of State on October 6, 1983.

d. Ordinance 84-2, adopted April 24, 1984, and filed with the Secretary of State on April 27, 1984.

3. Subdivision regulations.—Ordinance No. 74-1 adopted November 15, 1974, by the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners and filed with the Secretary of State on December 4, 1974, and December 5, 1974, and the following amendment are incorporated by reference and adopted herein: Ordinance 79-5, filed with the Secretary of State on May 30, 1979.

4. Flood plain management ordinance.—Ordinance No. 83-5 adopted on July 7, 1983, by the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners and filed with the Secretary of State on July 15, 1983, is incorporated by reference and adopted herein.

5. Septic tank ordinance.—Ordinance 79-8 adopted on June 22, 1979, by the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners and filed with the Secretary of State on June 27, 1979, is incorporated by reference and adopted herein.

6. Construction; electrical connection.—Ordinance No. 73-5A adopted July 3, 1973, by the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners and filed with the Secretary of State on March 6, 1981, is incorporated by reference and adopted herein.

7. Alligator Point Water Resource District Act.—Ordinance No. 76-7 adopted on November 16, 1976, by the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners and filed with the Secretary of State on March 6, 1981, is incorporated by reference and adopted herein.

8. Coastal area building codes.—Ordinance No. 84-1 establishing building codes for coastal areas adopted by the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners on February 8, 1984, and filed with the Secretary of State on February 2, 1984, is incorporated by reference and adopted herein.

9. Standard building code.—Ordinance adopting the 1976 Standard Building Code, Ordinance No. 83-1, adopted January 18, 1983, by the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners and filed with the Secretary of State January 20, 1983, is incorporated by reference and adopted herein.

10. Local planning agency.—Ordinance No. 77-6 adopted on June 21, 1977, by the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners and filed with the Secretary of State on June 22, 1977, is incorporated by reference and adopted herein.

11. Coastal high-hazard zones.—Ordinance No. 80-5 adopted on May 29, 1980, by the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners and filed with the Secretary of State on May 30, 1980, is incorporated by reference and adopted herein.

(b) Conflicting regulations.—In the event of any inconsistency between subparagraph (a)1. and subparagraphs (a)2.-11., subparagraph (a)1. shall control. Further, in the event of any inconsistency between subsection (7) and paragraph (a) of this subsection and a development order issued pursuant to s. 380.06, which has become final prior to June 18, 1985, or between subsection (7) and paragraph (a) and an amendment to a final development order, which amendment has been requested prior to April 2, 1985, the development order or amendment thereto shall control. However, any modification to paragraph (a) enacted by a local government and approved by the Administration Commission pursuant to subsection (9) may provide whether it shall control over an inconsistent provision of a development order or amendment thereto. A development order or any amendment thereto referred to in this paragraph shall not be subject to approval by the Administration Commission pursuant to subsection (9).

(c) Effect of existing plans and regulations.—Legally adopted comprehensive plans and land development regulations other than those listed in this subsection shall remain in full force and effect unless inconsistent with the principles for guiding development set forth in subsection (7), the elements of the comprehensive plan listed in this subsection, or the land development regulations listed in this subsection.

(d) Developments of regional impact.—A local government shall approve a development subject to the provisions of s. 380.06 only if it also complies with the provisions of this subsection.

(9) MODIFICATION TO PLANS AND REGULATIONS.—Any land development regulation or element of a local comprehensive plan in the Apalachicola Bay Area may be enacted, amended, or rescinded by a local government, but the enactment, amendment, or rescission becomes effective only upon the approval thereof by the Administration Commission. Further, the state land planning agency, after consulting with the appropriate local government, may, from time to time, recommend the enactment, amendment, or rescission of a land development regulation or element of a comprehensive plan. Within 45 days following the receipt of such recommendation by the state land planning agency or enactment, amendment, or rescission by a local government the commission shall reject the recommendation, enactment, amendment, or rescission or accept it with or without modification and adopt, by rule, any changes. Any such local land development regulation or comprehensive plan or part of such regulation or plan may be adopted by the commission if it finds that it is in compliance with the principles for guiding development.

(10) REQUIREMENTS; LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.—

(a) As used in this subsection:

1. “Alternative onsite system” means any approved onsite disposal system used in lieu of a standard subsurface system.

2. “Critical shoreline zone” means all land within a distance of 150 feet landward of the mean high-water line in tidal areas, the ordinary high-water line in nontidal areas, or the inland wetland areas existing along the streams, lakes, rivers, bays, and sounds within the Apalachicola Bay Area.

3. “Pollution-sensitive segment of the critical shoreline” means an area which, due to its proximity to highly sensitive resources, including, but not limited to, productive shellfish beds and nursery areas, requires special regulatory attention.

4. “Low-income family” means a group of persons residing together whose combined income does not exceed 200 percent of the 1985 Poverty Income Guidelines for all states and the District of Columbia, promulgated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, as published in Volume 50, No. 46 of the Federal Register, pages 9517-18. Income shall be as defined in said guidelines.

(b) Franklin County and the municipalities within it shall, within 60 days after a sewerage system is available for use, notify all owners and users of onsite sewage disposal systems of the availability of such a system and that connection is required within 180 days of the notice. Failure to connect to an available system within the time prescribed shall be a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in ss. 775.082 and 775.083. Further, Franklin County and the municipalities within it shall have the right to make the connection if it is not made within the prescribed time and to assess the owner of the real property on which the connection is made for the cost of such connection. Such assessments shall be levied according to law and shall become a lien against the real property, enforced according to law. Franklin County and the municipalities within it shall develop a program and implement ordinances to make available to low-income families the sewer services available upon completion of the proposed sewer projects being funded by this act.

(c)1. The Department of Health shall survey all septic tank soil-absorption systems in the Apalachicola Bay Area to determine their suitability as onsite sewage treatment systems. Within 6 months from June 18, 1985, Franklin County and the municipalities within it, after consultation with the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection, shall develop a program designed to correct any onsite sewage treatment systems that might endanger the water quality of the bay.

2. Franklin County and the municipalities within it shall, within 9 months from June 18, 1985, enact by ordinance procedures implementing this program. These procedures shall include notification to owners of unacceptable septic tanks and procedures for correcting unacceptable septic tanks. These ordinances shall not be effective until approved by the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection.

(d) Franklin County and the municipalities within it shall, within 12 months from June 18, 1985, establish by ordinance a map of “pollution-sensitive segments of the critical shoreline” within the Apalachicola Bay Area, which ordinance shall not be effective until approved by the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection. Franklin County and the municipalities within it, after the effective date of these ordinances, shall no longer grant permits for onsite wastewater disposal systems in pollution-sensitive segments of the critical shoreline, except for those onsite wastewater systems that will not degrade water quality in the river or bay. These ordinances shall not become effective until approved by the resource planning and management committee. Until such ordinances become effective, the Franklin County Health Department shall not give a favorable recommendation to the granting of a septic tank variance pursuant to section (1) of Ordinance 79-8, adopted on June 22, 1979, by the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners and filed with the Secretary of State on June 27, 1979, or issue a permit for a septic tank or alternative waste disposal system pursuant to Ordinance 81-5, adopted on June 22, 1981, by the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners and filed with the Secretary of State on June 30, 1981, as amended as set forth in subparagraph (8)(a)2., unless the Franklin County Health Department certifies, in writing, that the use of such system will be consistent with paragraph (7)(f) and subsection (8).

(e) Franklin County and the municipalities within it shall, within 9 months from June 18, 1985, enact land development regulations to protect the Apalachicola Bay Area from stormwater pollution, including provisions for development approval, before the issuance of building permits pursuant to chapter 17-25, Florida Administrative Code, Franklin County and the municipalities within it shall, within 90 days following the above deadline, survey existing stormwater management systems and discharges to determine their effect on the bay and develop a comprehensive stormwater management plan to minimize such effects. The plan will include recommendations and financing options for the retrofitting of existing systems. Franklin County and the municipalities within it shall, as part of an overall stormwater management program, inform its citizens about stormwater, its relationship to land use, and its effect upon the resources of the Apalachicola Bay Area.

(f) Franklin County and the municipalities within it shall, beginning 12 months from June 18, 1985, prepare semiannual reports on the implementation of paragraphs (b)-(e) on the environmental status of the Apalachicola Bay Area. The state land planning agency may prescribe additional detailed information required to be reported. Each report shall be delivered to the resource planning and management committee and the state land planning agency for review and recommendations. The state land planning agency shall review each report and consider such reports when making recommendations to the Administration Commission pursuant to subsection (9).

(1) DEFINITION.—The term “development of regional impact,” as used in this section, means any development which, because of its character, magnitude, or location, would have a substantial effect upon the health, safety, or welfare of citizens of more than one county.

(2) STATEWIDE GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS.—

(a) The state land planning agency shall recommend to the Administration Commission specific statewide guidelines and standards for adoption pursuant to this subsection. The Administration Commission shall by rule adopt statewide guidelines and standards to be used in determining whether particular developments shall undergo development-of-regional-impact review. The statewide guidelines and standards previously adopted by the Administration Commission and approved by the Legislature shall remain in effect unless revised pursuant to this section or superseded by other provisions of law.

(b) In adopting its guidelines and standards, the Administration Commission shall consider and shall be guided by:

1. The extent to which the development would create or alleviate environmental problems such as air or water pollution or noise.

2. The amount of pedestrian or vehicular traffic likely to be generated.

3. The number of persons likely to be residents, employees, or otherwise present.

4. The size of the site to be occupied.

5. The likelihood that additional or subsidiary development will be generated.

6. The extent to which the development would create an additional demand for, or additional use of, energy, including the energy requirements of subsidiary developments.

7. The unique qualities of particular areas of the state.

(c) With regard to the changes in the guidelines and standards authorized pursuant to this act, in determining whether a proposed development must comply with the review requirements of this section, the state land planning agency shall apply the guidelines and standards which were in effect when the developer received authorization to commence development from the local government. If a developer has not received authorization to commence development from the local government prior to the effective date of new or amended guidelines and standards, the new or amended guidelines and standards shall apply.

(d) The guidelines and standards shall be applied as follows:

1. Fixed thresholds.—

a. A development that is below 100 percent of all numerical thresholds in the guidelines and standards shall not be required to undergo development-of-regional-impact review.

b. A development that is at or above 120 percent of any numerical threshold shall be required to undergo development-of-regional-impact review.

c. Projects certified under s. 403.973 which create at least 100 jobs and meet the criteria of the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development as to their impact on an area’s economy, employment, and prevailing wage and skill levels that are at or below 100 percent of the numerical thresholds for industrial plants, industrial parks, distribution, warehousing or wholesaling facilities, office development or multiuse projects other than residential, as described in s. 380.0651(3)(c), (d), and (h), are not required to undergo development-of-regional-impact review.

2. Rebuttable presumption.—It shall be presumed that a development that is at 100 percent or between 100 and 120 percent of a numerical threshold shall be required to undergo development-of-regional-impact review.

(e) With respect to residential, hotel, motel, office, and retail developments, the applicable guidelines and standards shall be increased by 50 percent in urban central business districts and regional activity centers of jurisdictions whose local comprehensive plans are in compliance with part II of chapter 163. With respect to multiuse developments, the applicable individual use guidelines and standards for residential, hotel, motel, office, and retail developments and multiuse guidelines and standards shall be increased by 100 percent in urban central business districts and regional activity centers of jurisdictions whose local comprehensive plans are in compliance with part II of chapter 163, if one land use of the multiuse development is residential and amounts to not less than 35 percent of the jurisdiction’s applicable residential threshold. With respect to resort or convention hotel developments, the applicable guidelines and standards shall be increased by 150 percent in urban central business districts and regional activity centers of jurisdictions whose local comprehensive plans are in compliance with part II of chapter 163 and where the increase is specifically for a proposed resort or convention hotel located in a county with a population greater than 500,000 and the local government specifically designates that the proposed resort or convention hotel development will serve an existing convention center of more than 250,000 gross square feet built prior to July 1, 1992. The applicable guidelines and standards shall be increased by 150 percent for development in any area designated by the Governor as a rural area of critical economic concern pursuant to s. 288.0656 during the effectiveness of the designation.

(3) VARIATION OF THRESHOLDS IN STATEWIDE GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS.—The state land planning agency, a regional planning agency, or a local government may petition the Administration Commission to increase or decrease the numerical thresholds of any statewide guideline and standard. The state land planning agency or the regional planning agency may petition for an increase or decrease for a particular local government’s jurisdiction or a part of a particular jurisdiction. A local government may petition for an increase or decrease within its jurisdiction or a part of its jurisdiction. A number of requests may be combined in a single petition.

(a) When a petition is filed, the state land planning agency shall have no more than 180 days to prepare and submit to the Administration Commission a report and recommendations on the proposed variation. The report shall evaluate, and the Administration Commission shall consider, the following criteria:

1. Whether the local government has adopted and effectively implemented a comprehensive plan that reflects and implements the goals and objectives of an adopted state comprehensive plan.

3. Whether the local government has adopted and effectively implemented both a comprehensive set of land development regulations, which regulations shall include a planned unit development ordinance, and a capital improvements plan that are consistent with the local government comprehensive plan.

4. Whether the local government has adopted and effectively implemented the authority and the fiscal mechanisms for requiring developers to meet development order conditions.

5. Whether the local government has adopted and effectively implemented and enforced satisfactory development review procedures.

(b) The affected regional planning agency, adjoining local governments, and the local government shall be given a reasonable opportunity to submit recommendations to the Administration Commission regarding any such proposed variations.

(c) The Administration Commission shall have authority to increase or decrease a threshold in the statewide guidelines and standards up to 50 percent above or below the statewide presumptive threshold. The commission may from time to time reconsider changed thresholds and make additional variations as it deems necessary.

(d) The Administration Commission shall adopt rules setting forth the procedures for submission and review of petitions filed pursuant to this subsection.

(e) Variations to guidelines and standards adopted by the Administration Commission under this subsection shall be transmitted on or before March 1 to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives for presentation at the next regular session of the Legislature. Unless approved as submitted by general law, the revisions shall not become effective.

(4) BINDING LETTER.—

(a) If any developer is in doubt whether his or her proposed development must undergo development-of-regional-impact review under the guidelines and standards, whether his or her rights have vested pursuant to subsection (20), or whether a proposed substantial change to a development of regional impact concerning which rights had previously vested pursuant to subsection (20) would divest such rights, the developer may request a determination from the state land planning agency. The developer or the appropriate local government having jurisdiction may request that the state land planning agency determine whether the amount of development that remains to be built in an approved development of regional impact meets the criteria of subparagraph (15)(g)3.

(b) Unless a developer waives the requirements of this paragraph by agreeing to undergo development-of-regional-impact review pursuant to this section, the state land planning agency or local government with jurisdiction over the land on which a development is proposed may require a developer to obtain a binding letter if the development is at a presumptive numerical threshold or up to 20 percent above a numerical threshold in the guidelines and standards.

(c) Any local government may petition the state land planning agency to require a developer of a development located in an adjacent jurisdiction to obtain a binding letter of interpretation. The petition shall contain facts to support a finding that the development as proposed is a development of regional impact. This paragraph shall not be construed to grant standing to the petitioning local government to initiate an administrative or judicial proceeding pursuant to this chapter.

(d) A request for a binding letter of interpretation shall be in writing and in such form and content as prescribed by the state land planning agency. Within 15 days of receiving an application for a binding letter of interpretation or a supplement to a pending application, the state land planning agency shall determine and notify the applicant whether the information in the application is sufficient to enable the agency to issue a binding letter or shall request any additional information needed. The applicant shall either provide the additional information requested or shall notify the state land planning agency in writing that the information will not be supplied and the reasons therefor. If the applicant does not respond to the request for additional information within 120 days, the application for a binding letter of interpretation shall be deemed to be withdrawn. Within 35 days after acknowledging receipt of a sufficient application, or of receiving notification that the information will not be supplied, the state land planning agency shall issue a binding letter of interpretation with respect to the proposed development. A binding letter of interpretation issued by the state land planning agency shall bind all state, regional, and local agencies, as well as the developer.

(e) In determining whether a proposed substantial change to a development of regional impact concerning which rights had previously vested pursuant to subsection (20) would divest such rights, the state land planning agency shall review the proposed change within the context of:

1. Criteria specified in paragraph (19)(b);

2. Its conformance with any adopted state comprehensive plan and any rules of the state land planning agency;

3. All rights and obligations arising out of the vested status of such development;

4. Permit conditions or requirements imposed by the Department of Environmental Protection or any water management district created by s. 373.069 or any of their successor agencies or by any appropriate federal regulatory agency; and

5. Any regional impacts arising from the proposed change.

(f) If a proposed substantial change to a development of regional impact concerning which rights had previously vested pursuant to subsection (20) would result in reduced regional impacts, the change shall not divest rights to complete the development pursuant to subsection (20). Furthermore, where all or a portion of the development of regional impact for which rights had previously vested pursuant to subsection (20) is demolished and reconstructed within the same approximate footprint of buildings and parking lots, so that any change in the size of the development does not exceed the criteria of paragraph (19)(b), such demolition and reconstruction shall not divest the rights which had vested.

(g) Every binding letter determining that a proposed development is not a development of regional impact, but not including binding letters of vested rights or of modification of vested rights, shall expire and become void unless the plan of development has been substantially commenced within:

1. Three years from October 1, 1985, for binding letters issued prior to the effective date of this act; or

2. Three years from the date of issuance of binding letters issued on or after October 1, 1985.

(h) The expiration date of a binding letter, established pursuant to paragraph (g), shall begin to run after final disposition of all administrative and judicial appeals of the binding letter and may be extended by mutual agreement of the state land planning agency, the local government of jurisdiction, and the developer.

(i) In response to an inquiry from a developer or the appropriate local government having jurisdiction, the state land planning agency may issue an informal determination in the form of a clearance letter as to whether a development is required to undergo development-of-regional-impact review or whether the amount of development that remains to be built in an approved development of regional impact meets the criteria of subparagraph (15)(g)3. A clearance letter may be based solely on the information provided by the developer, and the state land planning agency is not required to conduct an investigation of that information. If any material information provided by the developer is incomplete or inaccurate, the clearance letter is not binding upon the state land planning agency. A clearance letter does not constitute final agency action.

(5) AUTHORIZATION TO DEVELOP.—

(a)1. A developer who is required to undergo development-of-regional-impact review may undertake a development of regional impact if the development has been approved under the requirements of this section.

2. If the land on which the development is proposed is within an area of critical state concern, the development must also be approved under the requirements of s. 380.05.

(b) State or regional agencies may inquire whether a proposed project is undergoing or will be required to undergo development-of-regional-impact review. If a project is undergoing or will be required to undergo development-of-regional-impact review, any state or regional permit necessary for the construction or operation of the project that is valid for 5 years or less shall take effect, and the period of time for which the permit is valid shall begin to run, upon expiration of the time allowed for an administrative appeal of the development or upon final action following an administrative appeal or judicial review, whichever is later. However, if the application for development approval is not filed within 18 months after the issuance of the permit, the time of validity of the permit shall be considered to be from the date of issuance of the permit. If a project is required to obtain a binding letter under subsection (4), any state or regional agency permit necessary for the construction or operation of the project that is valid for 5 years or less shall take effect, and the period of time for which the permit is valid shall begin to run, only after the developer obtains a binding letter stating that the project is not required to undergo development-of-regional-impact review or after the developer obtains a development order pursuant to this section.

(c) Prior to the issuance of a final development order, the developer may elect to be bound by the rules adopted pursuant to chapters 373 and 403 in effect when such development order is issued. The rules adopted pursuant to chapters 373 and 403 in effect at the time such development order is issued shall be applicable to all applications for permits pursuant to those chapters and which are necessary for and consistent with the development authorized in such development order, except that a later adopted rule shall be applicable to an application if:

1. The later adopted rule is determined by the rule-adopting agency to be essential to the public health, safety, or welfare;

2. The later adopted rule is adopted pursuant to s. 403.061(27);

3. The later adopted rule is being adopted pursuant to a subsequently enacted statutorily mandated program;

4. The later adopted rule is mandated in order for the state to maintain delegation of a federal program; or

5. The later adopted rule is required by state or federal law.

(d) The provision of day care service facilities in developments approved pursuant to this section is permissible but is not required.

Further, in order for any developer to apply for permits pursuant to this provision, the application must be filed within 5 years from the issuance of the final development order and the permit shall not be effective for more than 8 years from the issuance of the final development order. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to alter or change any permitting agency’s authority to approve permits or to determine applicable criteria for longer periods of time.

(a) Prior to undertaking any development, a developer that is required to undergo development-of-regional-impact review shall file an application for development approval with the appropriate local government having jurisdiction. The application shall contain, in addition to such other matters as may be required, a statement that the developer proposes to undertake a development of regional impact as required under this section.

(b) Any local government comprehensive plan amendments related to a proposed development of regional impact, including any changes proposed under subsection (19), may be initiated by a local planning agency or the developer and must be considered by the local governing body at the same time as the application for development approval using the procedures provided for local plan amendment in s. 163.3187 or s. 163.3189 and applicable local ordinances, without regard to statutory or local ordinance limits on the frequency of consideration of amendments to the local comprehensive plan. Nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to require favorable consideration of a plan amendment solely because it is related to a development of regional impact. The procedure for processing such comprehensive plan amendments is as follows:

1. If a developer seeks a comprehensive plan amendment related to a development of regional impact, the developer must so notify in writing the regional planning agency, the applicable local government, and the state land planning agency no later than the date of preapplication conference or the submission of the proposed change under subsection (19).

2. When filing the application for development approval or the proposed change, the developer must include a written request for comprehensive plan amendments that would be necessitated by the development-of-regional-impact approvals sought. That request must include data and analysis upon which the applicable local government can determine whether to transmit the comprehensive plan amendment pursuant to s. 163.3184.

3. The local government must advertise a public hearing on the transmittal within 30 days after filing the application for development approval or the proposed change and must make a determination on the transmittal within 60 days after the initial filing unless that time is extended by the developer.

4. If the local government approves the transmittal, procedures set forth in s. 163.3184(3)-(6) must be followed.

5. Notwithstanding subsection (11) or subsection (19), the local government may not hold a public hearing on the application for development approval or the proposed change or on the comprehensive plan amendments sooner than 30 days from receipt of the response from the state land planning agency pursuant to s. 163.3184(6). The 60-day time period for local governments to adopt, adopt with changes, or not adopt plan amendments pursuant to s. 163.3184(7) shall not apply to concurrent plan amendments provided for in this subsection.

6. The local government must hear both the application for development approval or the proposed change and the comprehensive plan amendments at the same hearing. However, the local government must take action separately on the application for development approval or the proposed change and on the comprehensive plan amendments.

7. Thereafter, the appeal process for the local government development order must follow the provisions of s. 380.07, and the compliance process for the comprehensive plan amendments must follow the provisions of s. 163.3184.

(7) PREAPPLICATION PROCEDURES.—

(a) Before filing an application for development approval, the developer shall contact the regional planning agency with jurisdiction over the proposed development to arrange a preapplication conference. Upon the request of the developer or the regional planning agency, other affected state and regional agencies shall participate in this conference and shall identify the types of permits issued by the agencies, the level of information required, and the permit issuance procedures as applied to the proposed development. The levels of service required in the transportation methodology shall be the same levels of service used to evaluate concurrency in accordance with s. 163.3180. The regional planning agency shall provide the developer information about the development-of-regional-impact process and the use of preapplication conferences to identify issues, coordinate appropriate state and local agency requirements, and otherwise promote a proper and efficient review of the proposed development. If agreement is reached regarding assumptions and methodology to be used in the application for development approval, the reviewing agencies may not subsequently object to those assumptions and methodologies unless subsequent changes to the project or information obtained during the review make those assumptions and methodologies inappropriate.

(b) The regional planning agency shall establish by rule a procedure by which a developer may enter into binding written agreements with the regional planning agency to eliminate questions from the application for development approval when those questions are found to be unnecessary for development-of-regional-impact review. It is the legislative intent of this subsection to encourage reduction of paperwork, to discourage unnecessary gathering of data, and to encourage the coordination of the development-of-regional-impact review process with federal, state, and local environmental reviews when such reviews are required by law.

(c) If the application for development approval is not submitted within 1 year after the date of the preapplication conference, the regional planning agency, the local government having jurisdiction, or the applicant may request that another preapplication conference be held.

(8) PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS.—

(a) A developer may enter into a written preliminary development agreement with the state land planning agency to allow a developer to proceed with a limited amount of the total proposed development, subject to all other governmental approvals and solely at the developer’s own risk, prior to issuance of a final development order. All owners of the land in the total proposed development shall join the developer as parties to the agreement. Each agreement shall include and be subject to the following conditions:

1. The developer shall comply with the preapplication conference requirements pursuant to subsection (7) within 45 days after the execution of the agreement.

2. The developer shall file an application for development approval for the total proposed development within 3 months after execution of the agreement, unless the state land planning agency agrees to a different time for good cause shown. Failure to timely file an application and to otherwise diligently proceed in good faith to obtain a final development order shall constitute a breach of the preliminary development agreement.

3. The agreement shall include maps and legal descriptions of both the preliminary development area and the total proposed development area and shall specifically describe the preliminary development in terms of magnitude and location. The area approved for preliminary development must be included in the application for development approval and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the final development order.

4. The preliminary development shall be limited to lands that the state land planning agency agrees are suitable for development and shall only be allowed in areas where adequate public infrastructure exists to accommodate the preliminary development, when such development will utilize public infrastructure. The developer must also demonstrate that the preliminary development will not result in material adverse impacts to existing resources or existing or planned facilities.

5. The preliminary development agreement may allow development which is:

a. 1Less than 100 percent of any applicable threshold if the developer demonstrates that such development is consistent with subparagraph 4.; or

b. Less than 120 percent of any applicable threshold if the developer demonstrates that such development is part of a proposed downtown development of regional impact specified in subsection (22) or part of any areawide development of regional impact specified in subsection (25) and that the development is consistent with subparagraph 4.

6. The developer and owners of the land may not claim vested rights, or assert equitable estoppel, arising from the agreement or any expenditures or actions taken in reliance on the agreement to continue with the total proposed development beyond the preliminary development. The agreement shall not entitle the developer to a final development order approving the total proposed development or to particular conditions in a final development order.

7. The agreement shall not prohibit the regional planning agency from reviewing or commenting on any regional issue that the regional agency determines should be included in the regional agency’s report on the application for development approval.

8. The agreement shall include a disclosure by the developer and all the owners of the land in the total proposed development of all land or development within 5 miles of the total proposed development in which they have an interest and shall describe such interest.

9. In the event of a breach of the agreement or failure to comply with any condition of the agreement, or if the agreement was based on materially inaccurate information, the state land planning agency may terminate the agreement or file suit to enforce the agreement as provided in this section and s. 380.11, including a suit to enjoin all development.

10. A notice of the preliminary development agreement shall be recorded by the developer in accordance with s. 28.222 with the clerk of the circuit court for each county in which land covered by the terms of the agreement is located. The notice shall include a legal description of the land covered by the agreement and shall state the parties to the agreement, the date of adoption of the agreement and any subsequent amendments, the location where the agreement may be examined, and that the agreement constitutes a land development regulation applicable to portions of the land covered by the agreement. The provisions of the agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon successors and assigns of the parties in the agreement.

11. Except for those agreements which authorize preliminary development for substantial deviations pursuant to subsection (19), a developer who no longer wishes to pursue a development of regional impact may propose to abandon any preliminary development agreement executed after January 1, 1985, including those pursuant to s. 380.032(3), provided at the time of abandonment:

a. A final development order under this section has been rendered that approves all of the development actually constructed; or

b. The amount of development is less than 100 percent of all numerical thresholds of the guidelines and standards, and the state land planning agency determines in writing that the development to date is in compliance with all applicable local regulations and the terms and conditions of the preliminary development agreement and otherwise adequately mitigates for the impacts of the development to date.

In either event, when a developer proposes to abandon said agreement, the developer shall give written notice and state that he or she is no longer proposing a development of regional impact and provide adequate documentation that he or she has met the criteria for abandonment of the agreement to the state land planning agency. Within 30 days of receipt of adequate documentation of such notice, the state land planning agency shall make its determination as to whether or not the developer meets the criteria for abandonment. Once the state land planning agency determines that the developer meets the criteria for abandonment, the state land planning agency shall issue a notice of abandonment which shall be recorded by the developer in accordance with s. 28.222 with the clerk of the circuit court for each county in which land covered by the terms of the agreement is located.

(b) The state land planning agency may enter into other types of agreements to effectuate the provisions of this act as provided in s. 380.032.

(c) The provisions of this subsection shall also be available to a developer who chooses to seek development approval of a Florida Quality Development pursuant to s. 380.061.

(9) CONCEPTUAL AGENCY REVIEW.—

(a)1. In order to facilitate the planning and preparation of permit applications for projects that undergo development-of-regional-impact review, and in order to coordinate the information required to issue such permits, a developer may elect to request conceptual agency review under this subsection either concurrently with development-of-regional-impact review and comprehensive plan amendments, if applicable, or subsequent to a preapplication conference held pursuant to subsection (7).

2. “Conceptual agency review” means general review of the proposed location, densities, intensity of use, character, and major design features of a proposed development required to undergo review under this section for the purpose of considering whether these aspects of the proposed development comply with the issuing agency’s statutes and rules.

3. Conceptual agency review is a licensing action subject to chapter 120, and approval or denial constitutes final agency action, except that the 90-day time period specified in s. 120.60(1) shall be tolled for the agency when the affected regional planning agency requests information from the developer pursuant to paragraph (10)(b). If proposed agency action on the conceptual approval is the subject of a proceeding under ss. 120.569 and 120.57, final agency action shall be conclusive as to any issues actually raised and adjudicated in the proceeding, and such issues may not be raised in any subsequent proceeding under ss. 120.569 and 120.57 on the proposed development by any parties to the prior proceeding.

4. A conceptual agency review approval shall be valid for up to 10 years, unless otherwise provided in a state or regional agency rule, and may be reviewed and reissued for additional periods of time under procedures established by the agency.

(b) The Department of Environmental Protection, each water management district, and each other state or regional agency that requires construction or operation permits shall establish by rule a set of procedures necessary for conceptual agency review for the following permitting activities within their respective regulatory jurisdictions:

1. The construction and operation of potential sources of water pollution, including industrial wastewater, domestic wastewater, and stormwater.

2. Dredging and filling activities.

3. The management and storage of surface waters.

4. The construction and operation of works of the district, only if a conceptual agency review approval is requested under subparagraph 3.

Any state or regional agency may establish rules for conceptual agency review for any other permitting activities within its respective regulatory jurisdiction.

(c)1. Each agency participating in conceptual agency reviews shall determine and establish by rule its information and application requirements and furnish these requirements to the state land planning agency and to any developer seeking conceptual agency review under this subsection.

2. Each agency shall cooperate with the state land planning agency to standardize, to the extent possible, review procedures, data requirements, and data collection methodologies among all participating agencies, consistent with the requirements of the statutes that establish the permitting programs for each agency.

(d) At the conclusion of the conceptual agency review, the agency shall give notice of its proposed agency action as required by s. 120.60(3) and shall forward a copy of the notice to the appropriate regional planning council with a report setting out the agency’s conclusions on potential development impacts and stating whether the agency intends to grant conceptual approval, with or without conditions, or to deny conceptual approval. If the agency intends to deny conceptual approval, the report shall state the reasons therefor. The agency may require the developer to publish notice of proposed agency action in accordance with s. 403.815.

(e) An agency’s decision to grant conceptual approval shall not relieve the developer of the requirement to obtain a permit and to meet the standards for issuance of a construction or operation permit or to meet the agency’s information requirements for such a permit. Nevertheless, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the developer is entitled to receive a construction or operation permit for an activity for which the agency granted conceptual review approval, to the extent that the project for which the applicant seeks a permit is in accordance with the conceptual approval and with the agency’s standards and criteria for issuing a construction or operation permit. The agency may revoke or appropriately modify a valid conceptual approval if the agency shows:

1. That an applicant or his or her agent has submitted materially false or inaccurate information in the application for conceptual approval;

2. That the developer has violated a condition of the conceptual approval; or

3. That the development will cause a violation of the agency’s applicable laws or rules.

(f) Nothing contained in this subsection shall modify or abridge the law of vested rights or estoppel.

(g) Nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed to preclude an agency from adopting rules for conceptual review for developments which are not developments of regional impact.

(10) APPLICATION; SUFFICIENCY.—

(a) When an application for development approval is filed with a local government, the developer shall also send copies of the application to the appropriate regional planning agency and the state land planning agency.

(b) If a regional planning agency determines that the application for development approval is insufficient for the agency to discharge its responsibilities under subsection (12), it shall provide in writing to the appropriate local government and the applicant a statement of any additional information desired within 30 days of the receipt of the application by the regional planning agency. The applicant may supply the information requested by the regional planning agency and shall communicate its intention to do so in writing to the appropriate local government and the regional planning agency within 5 working days of the receipt of the statement requesting such information, or the applicant shall notify the appropriate local government and the regional planning agency in writing that the requested information will not be supplied. Within 30 days after receipt of such additional information, the regional planning agency shall review it and may request only that information needed to clarify the additional information or to answer new questions raised by, or directly related to, the additional information. The regional planning agency may request additional information no more than twice, unless the developer waives this limitation. If an applicant does not provide the information requested by a regional planning agency within 120 days of its request, or within a time agreed upon by the applicant and the regional planning agency, the application shall be considered withdrawn.

(c) The regional planning agency shall notify the local government that a public hearing date may be set when the regional planning agency determines that the application is sufficient or when it receives notification from the developer that the additional requested information will not be supplied, as provided for in paragraph (b).

(11) LOCAL NOTICE.—Upon receipt of the sufficiency notification from the regional planning agency required by paragraph (10)(c), the appropriate local government shall give notice and hold a public hearing on the application in the same manner as for a rezoning as provided under the appropriate special or local law or ordinance, except that such hearing proceedings shall be recorded by tape or a certified court reporter and made available for transcription at the expense of any interested party. When a development of regional impact is proposed within the jurisdiction of more than one local government, the local governments, at the request of the developer, may hold a joint public hearing. The local government shall comply with the following additional requirements:

(a) The notice of public hearing shall state that the proposed development is undergoing a development-of-regional-impact review.

(b) The notice shall be published at least 60 days in advance of the hearing and shall specify where the information and reports on the development-of-regional-impact application may be reviewed.

(c) The notice shall be given to the state land planning agency, to the applicable regional planning agency, to any state or regional permitting agency participating in a conceptual agency review process under subsection (9), and to such other persons as may have been designated by the state land planning agency as entitled to receive such notices.

(d) A public hearing date shall be set by the appropriate local government at the next scheduled meeting. The public hearing shall be held no later than 90 days after issuance of notice by the regional planning agency that a public hearing may be set, unless an extension is requested by the applicant.

(12) REGIONAL REPORTS.—

(a) Within 50 days after receipt of the notice of public hearing required in paragraph (11)(c), the regional planning agency, if one has been designated for the area including the local government, shall prepare and submit to the local government a report and recommendations on the regional impact of the proposed development. In preparing its report and recommendations, the regional planning agency shall identify regional issues based upon the following review criteria and make recommendations to the local government on these regional issues, specifically considering whether, and the extent to which:

1. The development will have a favorable or unfavorable impact on state or regional resources or facilities identified in the applicable state or regional plans. For the purposes of this subsection, “applicable state plan” means the state comprehensive plan. For the purposes of this subsection, “applicable regional plan” means an adopted comprehensive regional policy plan until the adoption of a strategic regional policy plan pursuant to s. 186.508, and thereafter means an adopted strategic regional policy plan.

2. The development will significantly impact adjacent jurisdictions. At the request of the appropriate local government, regional planning agencies may also review and comment upon issues that affect only the requesting local government.

3. As one of the issues considered in the review in subparagraphs 1. and 2., the development will favorably or adversely affect the ability of people to find adequate housing reasonably accessible to their places of employment. The determination should take into account information on factors that are relevant to the availability of reasonably accessible adequate housing. Adequate housing means housing that is available for occupancy and that is not substandard.

(b) At the request of the regional planning agency, other appropriate agencies shall review the proposed development and shall prepare reports and recommendations on issues that are clearly within the jurisdiction of those agencies. Such agency reports shall become part of the regional planning agency report; however, the regional planning agency may attach dissenting views. When water management district and Department of Environmental Protection permits have been issued pursuant to chapter 373 or chapter 403, the regional planning council may comment on the regional implications of the permits but may not offer conflicting recommendations.

(c) The regional planning agency shall afford the developer or any substantially affected party reasonable opportunity to present evidence to the regional planning agency head relating to the proposed regional agency report and recommendations.

(d) When the location of a proposed development involves land within the boundaries of multiple regional planning councils, the state land planning agency shall designate a lead regional planning council. The lead regional planning council shall prepare the regional report.

(13) CRITERIA IN AREAS OF CRITICAL STATE CONCERN.—If the development is in an area of critical state concern, the local government shall approve it only if it complies with the land development regulations therefor under s. 380.05 and the provisions of this section. The provisions of this section shall not apply to developments in areas of critical state concern which had pending applications and had been noticed or agendaed by local government after September 1, 1985, and before October 1, 1985, for development order approval. In all such cases, the state land planning agency may consider and address applicable regional issues contained in subsection (12) as part of its area-of-critical-state-concern review pursuant to ss. 380.05, 380.07, and 380.11.

(14) CRITERIA OUTSIDE AREAS OF CRITICAL STATE CONCERN.—If the development is not located in an area of critical state concern, in considering whether the development shall be approved, denied, or approved subject to conditions, restrictions, or limitations, the local government shall consider whether, and the extent to which:

(a) The development is consistent with the local comprehensive plan and local land development regulations;

(b) The development is consistent with the report and recommendations of the regional planning agency submitted pursuant to subsection (12); and

(c) The development is consistent with the State Comprehensive Plan. In consistency determinations the plan shall be construed and applied in accordance with s. 187.101(3).

(15) LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT ORDER.—

(a) The appropriate local government shall render a decision on the application within 30 days after the hearing unless an extension is requested by the developer.

(b) When possible, local governments shall issue development orders concurrently with any other local permits or development approvals that may be applicable to the proposed development.

(c) The development order shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law consistent with subsections (13) and (14). The development order:

1. Shall specify the monitoring procedures and the local official responsible for assuring compliance by the developer with the development order.

2. Shall establish compliance dates for the development order, including a deadline for commencing physical development and for compliance with conditions of approval or phasing requirements, and shall include a buildout date that reasonably reflects the time anticipated to complete the development.

3. Shall establish a date until which the local government agrees that the approved development of regional impact shall not be subject to downzoning, unit density reduction, or intensity reduction, unless the local government can demonstrate that substantial changes in the conditions underlying the approval of the development order have occurred or the development order was based on substantially inaccurate information provided by the developer or that the change is clearly established by local government to be essential to the public health, safety, or welfare. The date established pursuant to this subparagraph shall be no sooner than the buildout date of the project.

4. Shall specify the requirements for the biennial report designated under subsection (18), including the date of submission, parties to whom the report is submitted, and contents of the report, based upon the rules adopted by the state land planning agency. Such rules shall specify the scope of any additional local requirements that may be necessary for the report.

5. May specify the types of changes to the development which shall require submission for a substantial deviation determination or a notice of proposed change under subsection (19).

6. Shall include a legal description of the property.

(d) Conditions of a development order that require a developer to contribute land for a public facility or construct, expand, or pay for land acquisition or construction or expansion of a public facility, or portion thereof, shall meet the following criteria:

1. The need to construct new facilities or add to the present system of public facilities must be reasonably attributable to the proposed development.

2. Any contribution of funds, land, or public facilities required from the developer shall be comparable to the amount of funds, land, or public facilities that the state or the local government would reasonably expect to expend or provide, based on projected costs of comparable projects, to mitigate the impacts reasonably attributable to the proposed development.

3. Any funds or lands contributed must be expressly designated and used to mitigate impacts reasonably attributable to the proposed development.

4. Construction or expansion of a public facility by a nongovernmental developer as a condition of a development order to mitigate the impacts reasonably attributable to the proposed development is not subject to competitive bidding or competitive negotiation for selection of a contractor or design professional for any part of the construction or design.

(e)1. A local government shall not include, as a development order condition for a development of regional impact, any requirement that a developer contribute or pay for land acquisition or construction or expansion of public facilities or portions thereof unless the local government has enacted a local ordinance which requires other development not subject to this section to contribute its proportionate share of the funds, land, or public facilities necessary to accommodate any impacts having a rational nexus to the proposed development, and the need to construct new facilities or add to the present system of public facilities must be reasonably attributable to the proposed development.

2. A local government shall not approve a development of regional impact that does not make adequate provision for the public facilities needed to accommodate the impacts of the proposed development unless the local government includes in the development order a commitment by the local government to provide these facilities consistently with the development schedule approved in the development order; however, a local government’s failure to meet the requirements of subparagraph 1. and this subparagraph shall not preclude the issuance of a development order where adequate provision is made by the developer for the public facilities needed to accommodate the impacts of the proposed development. Any funds or lands contributed by a developer must be expressly designated and used to accommodate impacts reasonably attributable to the proposed development.

3. The Department of Community Affairs and other state and regional agencies involved in the administration and implementation of this act shall cooperate and work with units of local government in preparing and adopting local impact fee and other contribution ordinances.

(f) Notice of the adoption of a development order or the subsequent amendments to an adopted development order shall be recorded by the developer, in accordance with s. 28.222, with the clerk of the circuit court for each county in which the development is located. The notice shall include a legal description of the property covered by the order and shall state which unit of local government adopted the development order, the date of adoption, the date of adoption of any amendments to the development order, the location where the adopted order with any amendments may be examined, and that the development order constitutes a land development regulation applicable to the property. The recording of this notice shall not constitute a lien, cloud, or encumbrance on real property, or actual or constructive notice of any such lien, cloud, or encumbrance. This paragraph applies only to developments initially approved under this section after July 1, 1980.

(g) A local government shall not issue permits for development subsequent to the buildout date contained in the development order unless:

1. The proposed development has been evaluated cumulatively with existing development under the substantial deviation provisions of subsection (19) subsequent to the termination or expiration date;

2. The proposed development is consistent with an abandonment of development order that has been issued in accordance with the provisions of subsection (26);

3. The development of regional impact is essentially built out, in that all the mitigation requirements in the development order have been satisfied, all developers are in compliance with all applicable terms and conditions of the development order except the buildout date, and the amount of proposed development that remains to be built is less than 20 percent of any applicable development-of-regional-impact threshold; or

4. The project has been determined to be an essentially built-out development of regional impact through an agreement executed by the developer, the state land planning agency, and the local government, in accordance with s. 380.032, which will establish the terms and conditions under which the development may be continued. If the project is determined to be essentially built out, development may proceed pursuant to the s. 380.032 agreement after the termination or expiration date contained in the development order without further development-of-regional-impact review subject to the local government comprehensive plan and land development regulations or subject to a modified development-of-regional-impact analysis. As used in this paragraph, an “essentially built-out” development of regional impact means:

a. The developers are in compliance with all applicable terms and conditions of the development order except the buildout date; and

b.(I) The amount of development that remains to be built is less than the substantial deviation threshold specified in paragraph (19)(b) for each individual land use category, or, for a multiuse development, the sum total of all unbuilt land uses as a percentage of the applicable substantial deviation threshold is equal to or less than 100 percent; or

(II) The state land planning agency and the local government have agreed in writing that the amount of development to be built does not create the likelihood of any additional regional impact not previously reviewed.

The single-family residential portions of a development may be considered “essentially built out” if all of the workforce housing obligations and all of the infrastructure and horizontal development have been completed, at least 50 percent of the dwelling units have been completed, and more than 80 percent of the lots have been conveyed to third-party individual lot owners or to individual builders who own no more than 40 lots at the time of the determination. The mobile home park portions of a development may be considered “essentially built out” if all the infrastructure and horizontal development has been completed, and at least 50 percent of the lots are leased to individual mobile home owners.

(h) If the property is annexed by another local jurisdiction, the annexing jurisdiction shall adopt a new development order that incorporates all previous rights and obligations specified in the prior development order.

(16) CREDITS AGAINST LOCAL IMPACT FEES.—

(a) If the development order requires the developer to contribute land or a public facility or construct, expand, or pay for land acquisition or construction or expansion of a public facility, or portion thereof, and the developer is also subject by local ordinance to impact fees or exactions to meet the same needs, the local government shall establish and implement a procedure that credits a development order exaction or fee toward an impact fee or exaction imposed by local ordinance for the same need; however, if the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission imposes any additional requirement, the local government shall not be required to grant a credit toward the local exaction or impact fee unless the local government determines that such required contribution, payment, or construction meets the same need that the local exaction or impact fee would address. The nongovernmental developer need not be required, by virtue of this credit, to competitively bid or negotiate any part of the construction or design of the facility, unless otherwise requested by the local government.

(b) If the local government imposes or increases an impact fee or exaction by local ordinance after a development order has been issued, the developer may petition the local government, and the local government shall modify the affected provisions of the development order to give the developer credit for any contribution of land for a public facility, or construction, expansion, or contribution of funds for land acquisition or construction or expansion of a public facility, or a portion thereof, required by the development order toward an impact fee or exaction for the same need.

(c) The local government and the developer may enter into capital contribution front-ending agreements as part of a development-of-regional-impact development order to reimburse the developer, or the developer’s successor, for voluntary contributions paid in excess of his or her fair share.

(d) This subsection does not apply to internal, onsite facilities required by local regulations or to any offsite facilities to the extent such facilities are necessary to provide safe and adequate services to the development.

(17) LOCAL MONITORING.—The local government issuing the development order is primarily responsible for monitoring the development and enforcing the provisions of the development order. Local governments shall not issue any permits or approvals or provide any extensions of services if the developer fails to act in substantial compliance with the development order.

(18) BIENNIAL REPORTS.—The developer shall submit a biennial report on the development of regional impact to the local government, the regional planning agency, the state land planning agency, and all affected permit agencies in alternate years on the date specified in the development order, unless the development order by its terms requires more frequent monitoring. If the report is not received, the regional planning agency or the state land planning agency shall notify the local government. If the local government does not receive the report or receives notification that the regional planning agency or the state land planning agency has not received the report, the local government shall request in writing that the developer submit the report within 30 days. The failure to submit the report after 30 days shall result in the temporary suspension of the development order by the local government. If no additional development pursuant to the development order has occurred since the submission of the previous report, then a letter from the developer stating that no development has occurred shall satisfy the requirement for a report. Development orders that require annual reports may be amended to require biennial reports at the option of the local government.

(19) SUBSTANTIAL DEVIATIONS.—

(a) Any proposed change to a previously approved development which creates a reasonable likelihood of additional regional impact, or any type of regional impact created by the change not previously reviewed by the regional planning agency, shall constitute a substantial deviation and shall cause the proposed change to be subject to further development-of-regional-impact review. There are a variety of reasons why a developer may wish to propose changes to an approved development of regional impact, including changed market conditions. The procedures set forth in this subsection are for that purpose.

(b) Any proposed change to a previously approved development of regional impact or development order condition which, either individually or cumulatively with other changes, exceeds any of the following criteria shall constitute a substantial deviation and shall cause the development to be subject to further development-of-regional-impact review without the necessity for a finding of same by the local government:

1. An increase in the number of parking spaces at an attraction or recreational facility by 10 percent or 330 spaces, whichever is greater, or an increase in the number of spectators that may be accommodated at such a facility by 10 percent or 1,100 spectators, whichever is greater.

2. A new runway, a new terminal facility, a 25-percent lengthening of an existing runway, or a 25-percent increase in the number of gates of an existing terminal, but only if the increase adds at least three additional gates.

3. An increase in industrial development area by 10 percent or 35 acres, whichever is greater.

4. An increase in the average annual acreage mined by 10 percent or 11 acres, whichever is greater, or an increase in the average daily water consumption by a mining operation by 10 percent or 330,000 gallons, whichever is greater. A net increase in the size of the mine by 10 percent or 825 acres, whichever is less. For purposes of calculating any net increases in size, only additions and deletions of lands that have not been mined shall be considered. An increase in the size of a heavy mineral mine as defined in s. 378.403(7) will only constitute a substantial deviation if the average annual acreage mined is more than 550 acres and consumes more than 3.3 million gallons of water per day.

5. An increase in land area for office development by 10 percent or an increase of gross floor area of office development by 10 percent or 66,000 gross square feet, whichever is greater.

6. An increase in the number of dwelling units by 10 percent or 55 dwelling units, whichever is greater.

7. An increase in the number of dwelling units by 50 percent or 200 units, whichever is greater, provided that 15 percent of the proposed additional dwelling units are dedicated to affordable workforce housing, subject to a recorded land use restriction that shall be for a period of not less than 20 years and that includes resale provisions to ensure long-term affordability for income-eligible homeowners and renters and provisions for the workforce housing to be commenced prior to the completion of 50 percent of the market rate dwelling. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “affordable workforce housing” means housing that is affordable to a person who earns less than 120 percent of the area median income, or less than 140 percent of the area median income if located in a county in which the median purchase price for a single-family existing home exceeds the statewide median purchase price of a single-family existing home. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “statewide median purchase price of a single-family existing home” means the statewide purchase price as determined in the Florida Sales Report, Single-Family Existing Homes, released each January by the Florida Association of Realtors and the University of Florida Real Estate Research Center.

8. An increase in commercial development by 55,000 square feet of gross floor area or of parking spaces provided for customers for 330 cars or a 10-percent increase of either of these, whichever is greater.

9. An increase in hotel or motel rooms by 10 percent or 83 rooms, whichever is greater.

10. An increase in a recreational vehicle park area by 10 percent or 110 vehicle spaces, whichever is less.

11. A decrease in the area set aside for open space of 5 percent or 20 acres, whichever is less.

12. A proposed increase to an approved multiuse development of regional impact where the sum of the increases of each land use as a percentage of the applicable substantial deviation criteria is equal to or exceeds 110 percent. The percentage of any decrease in the amount of open space shall be treated as an increase for purposes of determining when 110 percent has been reached or exceeded.

13. A 15-percent increase in the number of external vehicle trips generated by the development above that which was projected during the original development-of-regional-impact review.

14. Any change which would result in development of any area which was specifically set aside in the application for development approval or in the development order for preservation or special protection of endangered or threatened plants or animals designated as endangered, threatened, or species of special concern and their habitat, any species protected by 16 U.S.C. ss. 668a-668d, primary dunes, or archaeological and historical sites designated as significant by the Division of Historical Resources of the Department of State. The refinement of the boundaries and configuration of such areas shall be considered under sub-subparagraph (e)2.j.

The substantial deviation numerical standards in 2subparagraphs 3., 5., 8., 9., and 12., excluding residential uses, and in subparagraph 13., are increased by 100 percent for a project certified under s. 403.973 which creates jobs and meets criteria established by the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development as to its impact on an area’s economy, employment, and prevailing wage and skill levels. The substantial deviation numerical standards in subparagraphs 3., 5., 6., 7., 8., 9., 12., and 13. are increased by 50 percent for a project located wholly within an urban infill and redevelopment area designated on the applicable adopted local comprehensive plan future land use map and not located within the coastal high hazard area.

3(c) An extension of the date of buildout of a development, or any phase thereof, by more than 7 years is presumed to create a substantial deviation subject to further development-of-regional-impact review. An extension of the date of buildout, or any phase thereof, of more than 5 years but not more than 7 years is presumed not to create a substantial deviation. The extension of the date of buildout of an areawide development of regional impact by more than 5 years but less than 10 years is presumed not to create a substantial deviation. These presumptions may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence at the public hearing held by the local government. An extension of 5 years or less is not a substantial deviation. For the purpose of calculating when a buildout or phase date has been exceeded, the time shall be tolled during the pendency of administrative or judicial proceedings relating to development permits. Any extension of the buildout date of a project or a phase thereof shall automatically extend the commencement date of the project, the termination date of the development order, the expiration date of the development of regional impact, and the phases thereof if applicable by a like period of time. In recognition of the 2007 real estate market conditions, all phase, buildout, and expiration dates for projects that are developments of regional impact and under active construction on July 1, 2007, are extended for 3 years regardless of any prior extension. The 3-year extension is not a substantial deviation, is not subject to further development-of-regional-impact review, and may not be considered when determining whether a subsequent extension is a substantial deviation under this subsection.

(d) A change in the plan of development of an approved development of regional impact resulting from requirements imposed by the Department of Environmental Protection or any water management district created by s. 373.069 or any of their successor agencies or by any appropriate federal regulatory agency shall be submitted to the local government pursuant to this subsection. The change shall be presumed not to create a substantial deviation subject to further development-of-regional-impact review. The presumption may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence at the public hearing held by the local government.

(e)1. Except for a development order rendered pursuant to subsection (22) or subsection (25), a proposed change to a development order that individually or cumulatively with any previous change is less than any numerical criterion contained in subparagraphs (b)1.-13. and does not exceed any other criterion, or that involves an extension of the buildout date of a development, or any phase thereof, of less than 5 years is not subject to the public hearing requirements of subparagraph (f)3., and is not subject to a determination pursuant to subparagraph (f)5. Notice of the proposed change shall be made to the regional planning council and the state land planning agency. Such notice shall include a description of previous individual changes made to the development, including changes previously approved by the local government, and shall include appropriate amendments to the development order.

2. The following changes, individually or cumulatively with any previous changes, are not substantial deviations:

a. Changes in the name of the project, developer, owner, or monitoring official.

b. Changes to a setback that do not affect noise buffers, environmental protection or mitigation areas, or archaeological or historical resources.

c. Changes to minimum lot sizes.

d. Changes in the configuration of internal roads that do not affect external access points.

e. Changes to the building design or orientation that stay approximately within the approved area designated for such building and parking lot, and which do not affect historical buildings designated as significant by the Division of Historical Resources of the Department of State.

f. Changes to increase the acreage in the development, provided that no development is proposed on the acreage to be added.

g. Changes to eliminate an approved land use, provided that there are no additional regional impacts.

h. Changes required to conform to permits approved by any federal, state, or regional permitting agency, provided that these changes do not create additional regional impacts.

i. Any renovation or redevelopment of development within a previously approved development of regional impact which does not change land use or increase density or intensity of use.

j. Changes that modify boundaries and configuration of areas described in subparagraph (b)14. due to science-based refinement of such areas by survey, by habitat evaluation, by other recognized assessment methodology, or by an environmental assessment. In order for changes to qualify under this sub-subparagraph, the survey, habitat evaluation, or assessment must occur prior to the time a conservation easement protecting such lands is recorded and must not result in any net decrease in the total acreage of the lands specifically set aside for permanent preservation in the final development order.

k. Any other change which the state land planning agency, in consultation with the regional planning council, agrees in writing is similar in nature, impact, or character to the changes enumerated in sub-subparagraphs a.-j. and which does not create the likelihood of any additional regional impact.

This subsection does not require the filing of a notice of proposed change but shall require an application to the local government to amend the development order in accordance with the local government’s procedures for amendment of a development order. In accordance with the local government’s procedures, including requirements for notice to the applicant and the public, the local government shall either deny the application for amendment or adopt an amendment to the development order which approves the application with or without conditions. Following adoption, the local government shall render to the state land planning agency the amendment to the development order. The state land planning agency may appeal, pursuant to s. 380.07(3), the amendment to the development order if the amendment involves sub-subparagraph g., sub-subparagraph h., sub-subparagraph j., or sub-subparagraph k., and it believes the change creates a reasonable likelihood of new or additional regional impacts.

3. Except for the change authorized by sub-subparagraph 2.f., any addition of land not previously reviewed or any change not specified in paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) shall be presumed to create a substantial deviation. This presumption may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence.

4. Any submittal of a proposed change to a previously approved development shall include a description of individual changes previously made to the development, including changes previously approved by the local government. The local government shall consider the previous and current proposed changes in deciding whether such changes cumulatively constitute a substantial deviation requiring further development-of-regional-impact review.

5. The following changes to an approved development of regional impact shall be presumed to create a substantial deviation. Such presumption may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence.

a. A change proposed for 15 percent or more of the acreage to a land use not previously approved in the development order. Changes of less than 15 percent shall be presumed not to create a substantial deviation.

b. Notwithstanding any provision of paragraph (b) to the contrary, a proposed change consisting of simultaneous increases and decreases of at least two of the uses within an authorized multiuse development of regional impact which was originally approved with three or more uses specified in s. 380.0651(3)(c), (d), (e), and (f) and residential use.

(f)1. The state land planning agency shall establish by rule standard forms for submittal of proposed changes to a previously approved development of regional impact which may require further development-of-regional-impact review. At a minimum, the standard form shall require the developer to provide the precise language that the developer proposes to delete or add as an amendment to the development order.

2. The developer shall submit, simultaneously, to the local government, the regional planning agency, and the state land planning agency the request for approval of a proposed change.

3. No sooner than 30 days but no later than 45 days after submittal by the developer to the local government, the state land planning agency, and the appropriate regional planning agency, the local government shall give 15 days’ notice and schedule a public hearing to consider the change that the developer asserts does not create a substantial deviation. This public hearing shall be held within 60 days after submittal of the proposed changes, unless that time is extended by the developer.

4. The appropriate regional planning agency or the state land planning agency shall review the proposed change and, no later than 45 days after submittal by the developer of the proposed change, unless that time is extended by the developer, and prior to the public hearing at which the proposed change is to be considered, shall advise the local government in writing whether it objects to the proposed change, shall specify the reasons for its objection, if any, and shall provide a copy to the developer.

5. At the public hearing, the local government shall determine whether the proposed change requires further development-of-regional-impact review. The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (e), the thresholds set forth in paragraph (b), and the presumptions set forth in paragraphs (c) and (d) and subparagraph (e)3. shall be applicable in determining whether further development-of-regional-impact review is required.

6. If the local government determines that the proposed change does not require further development-of-regional-impact review and is otherwise approved, or if the proposed change is not subject to a hearing and determination pursuant to subparagraphs 3. and 5. and is otherwise approved, the local government shall issue an amendment to the development order incorporating the approved change and conditions of approval relating to the change. The requirement that a change be otherwise approved shall not be construed to require additional local review or approval if the change is allowed by applicable local ordinances without further local review or approval. The decision of the local government to approve, with or without conditions, or to deny the proposed change that the developer asserts does not require further review shall be subject to the appeal provisions of s. 380.07. However, the state land planning agency may not appeal the local government decision if it did not comply with subparagraph 4. The state land planning agency may not appeal a change to a development order made pursuant to subparagraph (e)1. or subparagraph (e)2. for developments of regional impact approved after January 1, 1980, unless the change would result in a significant impact to a regionally significant archaeological, historical, or natural resource not previously identified in the original development-of-regional-impact review.

(g) If a proposed change requires further development-of-regional-impact review pursuant to this section, the review shall be conducted subject to the following additional conditions:

1. The development-of-regional-impact review conducted by the appropriate regional planning agency shall address only those issues raised by the proposed change except as provided in subparagraph 2.

2. The regional planning agency shall consider, and the local government shall determine whether to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the proposed change as it relates to the entire development. If the local government determines that the proposed change, as it relates to the entire development, is unacceptable, the local government shall deny the change.

3. If the local government determines that the proposed change should be approved, any new conditions in the amendment to the development order issued by the local government shall address only those issues raised by the proposed change and require mitigation only for the individual and cumulative impacts of the proposed change.

4. Development within the previously approved development of regional impact may continue, as approved, during the development-of-regional-impact review in those portions of the development which are not directly affected by the proposed change.

(h) When further development-of-regional-impact review is required because a substantial deviation has been determined or admitted by the developer, the amendment to the development order issued by the local government shall be consistent with the requirements of subsection (15) and shall be subject to the hearing and appeal provisions of s. 380.07. The state land planning agency or the appropriate regional planning agency need not participate at the local hearing in order to appeal a local government development order issued pursuant to this paragraph.

(i) An increase in the number of residential dwelling units shall not constitute a substantial deviation and shall not be subject to development-of-regional-impact review for additional impacts, provided that all the residential dwelling units are dedicated to affordable workforce housing and the total number of new residential units does not exceed 200 percent of the substantial deviation threshold. The affordable workforce housing shall be subject to a recorded land use restriction that shall be for a period of not less than 20 years and that includes resale provisions to ensure long-term affordability for income-eligible homeowners and renters. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “affordable workforce housing” means housing that is affordable to a person who earns less than 120 percent of the area median income, or less than 140 percent of the area median income if located in a county in which the median purchase price for a single-family existing home exceeds the statewide median purchase price of a single-family existing home. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “statewide median purchase price of a single-family existing home” means the statewide purchase price as determined in the Florida Sales Report, Single-Family Existing Homes, released each January by the Florida Association of Realtors and the University of Florida Real Estate Research Center.

(20) VESTED RIGHTS.—Nothing in this section shall limit or modify the rights of any person to complete any development that was authorized by registration of a subdivision pursuant to former chapter 498, by recordation pursuant to local subdivision plat law, or by a building permit or other authorization to commence development on which there has been reliance and a change of position and which registration or recordation was accomplished, or which permit or authorization was issued, prior to July 1, 1973. If a developer has, by his or her actions in reliance on prior regulations, obtained vested or other legal rights that in law would have prevented a local government from changing those regulations in a way adverse to the developer’s interests, nothing in this chapter authorizes any governmental agency to abridge those rights.

(a) For the purpose of determining the vesting of rights under this subsection, approval pursuant to local subdivision plat law, ordinances, or regulations of a subdivision plat by formal vote of a county or municipal governmental body having jurisdiction after August 1, 1967, and prior to July 1, 1973, is sufficient to vest all property rights for the purposes of this subsection; and no action in reliance on, or change of position concerning, such local governmental approval is required for vesting to take place. Anyone claiming vested rights under this paragraph must notify the department in writing by January 1, 1986. Such notification shall include information adequate to document the rights established by this subsection. When such notification requirements are met, in order for the vested rights authorized pursuant to this paragraph to remain valid after June 30, 1990, development of the vested plan must be commenced prior to that date upon the property that the state land planning agency has determined to have acquired vested rights following the notification or in a binding letter of interpretation. When the notification requirements have not been met, the vested rights authorized by this paragraph shall expire June 30, 1986, unless development commenced prior to that date.

(b) For the purpose of this act, the conveyance of, or the agreement to convey, property to the county, state, or local government as a prerequisite to zoning change approval shall be construed as an act of reliance to vest rights as determined under this subsection, provided such zoning change is actually granted by such government.

(21) COMPREHENSIVE APPLICATION; MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT ORDER.—

(a) If a development project includes two or more developments of regional impact, a developer may file a comprehensive development-of-regional-impact application.

(b) If a proposed development is planned for development over an extended period of time, the developer may file an application for master development approval of the project and agree to present subsequent increments of the development for preconstruction review. This agreement shall be entered into by the developer, the regional planning agency, and the appropriate local government having jurisdiction. The provisions of subsection (9) do not apply to this subsection, except that a developer may elect to utilize the review process established in subsection (9) for review of the increments of a master plan.

1. Prior to adoption of the master plan development order, the developer, the landowner, the appropriate regional planning agency, and the local government having jurisdiction shall review the draft of the development order to ensure that anticipated regional impacts have been adequately addressed and that information requirements for subsequent incremental application review are clearly defined. The development order for a master application shall specify the information which must be submitted with an incremental application and shall identify those issues which can result in the denial of an incremental application.

2. The review of subsequent incremental applications shall be limited to that information specifically required and those issues specifically raised by the master development order, unless substantial changes in the conditions underlying the approval of the master plan development order are demonstrated or the master development order is shown to have been based on substantially inaccurate information.

(c) The state land planning agency, by rule, shall establish uniform procedures to implement this subsection.

(22) DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES.—

(a) A downtown development authority may submit a development-of-regional-impact application for development approval pursuant to this section. The area described in the application may consist of any or all of the land over which a downtown development authority has the power described in s. 380.031(5). For the purposes of this subsection, a downtown development authority shall be considered the developer whether or not the development will be undertaken by the downtown development authority.

(b) In addition to information required by the development-of-regional-impact application, the application for development approval submitted by a downtown development authority shall specify the total amount of development planned for each land use category. In addition to the requirements of subsection (15), the development order shall specify the amount of development approved within each land use category. Development undertaken in conformance with a development order issued under this section does not require further review.

(c) If a development is proposed within the area of a downtown development plan approved pursuant to this section which would result in development in excess of the amount specified in the development order for that type of activity, changes shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (19), except that the percentages and numerical criteria shall be double those listed in paragraph (19)(b).

(d) The provisions of subsection (9) do not apply to this subsection.

(23) ADOPTION OF RULES BY STATE LAND PLANNING AGENCY.—

(a) The state land planning agency shall adopt rules to ensure uniform review of developments of regional impact by the state land planning agency and regional planning agencies under this section. These rules shall be adopted pursuant to chapter 120 and shall include all forms, application content, and review guidelines necessary to implement development-of-regional-impact reviews. The state land planning agency, in consultation with the regional planning agencies, may also designate types of development or areas suitable for development in which reduced information requirements for development-of-regional-impact review shall apply.

(b) Regional planning agencies shall be subject to rules adopted by the state land planning agency. At the request of a regional planning council, the state land planning agency may adopt by rule different standards for a specific comprehensive planning district upon a finding that the statewide standard is inadequate to protect or promote the regional interest at issue. If such a regional standard is adopted by the state land planning agency, the regional standard shall be applied to all pertinent development-of-regional-impact reviews conducted in that region until rescinded.

(c) Within 6 months of the effective date of this section, the state land planning agency shall adopt rules which:

2. Establish a short application for development approval form which eliminates issues and questions for any project in a jurisdiction with an adopted local comprehensive plan that is in compliance.

(d) Regional planning agencies that perform development-of-regional-impact and Florida Quality Development review are authorized to assess and collect fees to fund the costs, direct and indirect, of conducting the review process. The state land planning agency shall adopt rules to provide uniform criteria for the assessment and collection of such fees. The rules providing uniform criteria shall not be subject to rule challenge under s. 120.56(2) or to drawout proceedings under s. 120.54(3)(c)2., but, once adopted, shall be subject to an invalidity challenge under s. 120.56(3) by substantially affected persons. Until the state land planning agency adopts a rule implementing this paragraph, rules of the regional planning councils currently in effect regarding fees shall remain in effect. Fees may vary in relation to the type and size of a proposed project, but shall not exceed $75,000, unless the state land planning agency, after reviewing any disputed expenses charged by the regional planning agency, determines that said expenses were reasonable and necessary for an adequate regional review of the impacts of a project.

(24) STATUTORY EXEMPTIONS.—

(a) Any proposed hospital is exempt from the provisions of this section.

(b) Any proposed electrical transmission line or electrical power plant is exempt from the provisions of this section.

(c) Any proposed addition to an existing sports facility complex is exempt from the provisions of this section if the addition meets the following characteristics:

1. It would not operate concurrently with the scheduled hours of operation of the existing facility.

2. Its seating capacity would be no more than 75 percent of the capacity of the existing facility.

3. The sports facility complex property is owned by a public body prior to July 1, 1983.

This exemption does not apply to any pari-mutuel facility.

(d) Any proposed addition or cumulative additions subsequent to July 1, 1988, to an existing sports facility complex owned by a state university is exempt if the increased seating capacity of the complex is no more than 30 percent of the capacity of the existing facility.

(e) Any addition of permanent seats or parking spaces for an existing sports facility located on property owned by a public body prior to July 1, 1973, is exempt from the provisions of this section if future additions do not expand existing permanent seating or parking capacity more than 15 percent annually in excess of the prior year’s capacity.

(f) Any increase in the seating capacity of an existing sports facility having a permanent seating capacity of at least 50,000 spectators is exempt from the provisions of this section, provided that such an increase does not increase permanent seating capacity by more than 5 percent per year and not to exceed a total of 10 percent in any 5-year period, and provided that the sports facility notifies the appropriate local government within which the facility is located of the increase at least 6 months prior to the initial use of the increased seating, in order to permit the appropriate local government to develop a traffic management plan for the traffic generated by the increase. Any traffic management plan shall be consistent with the local comprehensive plan, the regional policy plan, and the state comprehensive plan.

(g) Any expansion in the permanent seating capacity or additional improved parking facilities of an existing sports facility is exempt from the provisions of this section, if the following conditions exist:

1.a. The sports facility had a permanent seating capacity on January 1, 1991, of at least 41,000 spectator seats;

b. The sum of such expansions in permanent seating capacity does not exceed a total of 10 percent in any 5-year period and does not exceed a cumulative total of 20 percent for any such expansions; or

c. The increase in additional improved parking facilities is a one-time addition and does not exceed 3,500 parking spaces serving the sports facility; and

2. The local government having jurisdiction of the sports facility includes in the development order or development permit approving such expansion under this paragraph a finding of fact that the proposed expansion is consistent with the transportation, water, sewer and stormwater drainage provisions of the approved local comprehensive plan and local land development regulations relating to those provisions.

Any owner or developer who intends to rely on this statutory exemption shall provide to the department a copy of the local government application for a development permit. Within 45 days of receipt of the application, the department shall render to the local government an advisory and nonbinding opinion, in writing, stating whether, in the department’s opinion, the prescribed conditions exist for an exemption under this paragraph. The local government shall render the development order approving each such expansion to the department. The owner, developer, or department may appeal the local government development order pursuant to s. 380.07, within 45 days after the order is rendered. The scope of review shall be limited to the determination of whether the conditions prescribed in this paragraph exist. If any sports facility expansion undergoes development-of-regional-impact review, all previous expansions which were exempt under this paragraph shall be included in the development-of-regional-impact review.

(h) Expansion to port harbors, spoil disposal sites, navigation channels, turning basins, harbor berths, and other related inwater harbor facilities of ports listed in s. 403.021(9)(b), port transportation facilities and projects listed in s. 311.07(3)(b), and intermodal transportation facilities identified pursuant to s. 311.09(3) are exempt from the provisions of this section when such expansions, projects, or facilities are consistent with comprehensive master plans that are in compliance with the provisions of s. 163.3178.

(i) Any proposed facility for the storage of any petroleum product or any expansion of an existing facility is exempt from the provisions of this section.

(j) Any renovation or redevelopment within the same land parcel which does not change land use or increase density or intensity of use.

(k) Waterport and marina development, including dry storage facilities, are exempt from the provisions of this section.

(l) Any proposed development within an urban service boundary established under s. 163.3177(14), which is not otherwise exempt pursuant to subsection (29), is exempt from the provisions of this section if the local government having jurisdiction over the area where the development is proposed has adopted the urban service boundary, has entered into a binding agreement with jurisdictions that would be impacted and with the Department of Transportation regarding the mitigation of impacts on state and regional transportation facilities, and has adopted a proportionate share methodology pursuant to s. 163.3180(16).

(m) Any proposed development within a rural land stewardship area created under s. 163.3177(11)(d) is exempt from the provisions of this section if the local government that has adopted the rural land stewardship area has entered into a binding agreement with jurisdictions that would be impacted and the Department of Transportation regarding the mitigation of impacts on state and regional transportation facilities, and has adopted a proportionate share methodology pursuant to s. 163.3180(16).

(n) The establishment, relocation, or expansion of any military installation as defined in s. 163.3175, is exempt from this section.

(o) Any self-storage warehousing that does not allow retail or other services is exempt from this section.

(p) Any proposed nursing home or assisted living facility is exempt from this section.

(q) Any development identified in an airport master plan and adopted into the comprehensive plan pursuant to s. 163.3177(6)(k) is exempt from this section.

(r) Any development identified in a campus master plan and adopted pursuant to s. 1013.30 is exempt from this section.

(s) Any development in a specific area plan which is prepared pursuant to s. 163.3245 and adopted into the comprehensive plan is exempt from this section.

(t) Any development within a county with a research and education authority created by special act and that is also within a research and development park that is operated or managed by a research and development authority pursuant to part V of chapter 159 is exempt from this section.

If a use is exempt from review as a development of regional impact under paragraphs (a)-(s), but will be part of a larger project that is subject to review as a development of regional impact, the impact of the exempt use must be included in the review of the larger project, unless such exempt use involves a development of regional impact that includes a landowner, tenant, or user that has entered into a funding agreement with the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development under the Innovation Incentive Program and the agreement contemplates a state award of at least $50 million.

(25) AREAWIDE DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL IMPACT.—

(a) An authorized developer may submit an areawide development of regional impact to be reviewed pursuant to the procedures and standards set forth in this section. The areawide development-of-regional-impact review shall include an areawide development plan in addition to any other information required under this section. After review and approval of an areawide development of regional impact under this section, all development within the defined planning area shall conform to the approved areawide development plan and development order. Individual developments that conform to the approved areawide development plan shall not be required to undergo further development-of-regional-impact review, unless otherwise provided in the development order. As used in this subsection, the term:

1. “Areawide development plan” means a plan of development that, at a minimum:

a. Encompasses a defined planning area approved pursuant to this subsection that will include at least two or more developments;

b. Maps and defines the land uses proposed, including the amount of development by use and development phasing;

c. Integrates a capital improvements program for transportation and other public facilities to ensure development staging contingent on availability of facilities and services;

d. Incorporates land development regulation, covenants, and other restrictions adequate to protect resources and facilities of regional and state significance; and

e. Specifies responsibilities and identifies the mechanisms for carrying out all commitments in the areawide development plan and for compliance with all conditions of any areawide development order.

2. “Developer” means any person or association of persons, including a governmental agency as defined in s. 380.031(6), that petitions for authorization to file an application for development approval for an areawide development plan.

(b) A developer may petition for authorization to submit a proposed areawide development of regional impact for a defined planning area in accordance with the following requirements:

1. A petition shall be submitted to the local government, the regional planning agency, and the state land planning agency.

2. A public hearing or joint public hearing shall be held if required by paragraph (e), with appropriate notice, before the affected local government.

3. The state land planning agency shall apply the following criteria for evaluating a petition:

a. Whether the developer is financially capable of processing the application for development approval through final approval pursuant to this section.

b. Whether the defined planning area and anticipated development therein appear to be of a character, magnitude, and location that a proposed areawide development plan would be in the public interest. Any public interest determination under this criterion is preliminary and not binding on the state land planning agency, regional planning agency, or local government.

4. The state land planning agency shall develop and make available standard forms for petitions and applications for development approval for use under this subsection.

(c) Any person may submit a petition to a local government having jurisdiction over an area to be developed, requesting that government to approve that person as a developer, whether or not any or all development will be undertaken by that person, and to approve the area as appropriate for an areawide development of regional impact.

(d) A general purpose local government with jurisdiction over an area to be considered in an areawide development of regional impact shall not have to petition itself for authorization to prepare and consider an application for development approval for an areawide development plan. However, such a local government shall initiate the preparation of an application only:

1. After scheduling and conducting a public hearing as specified in paragraph (e); and

2. After conducting such hearing, finding that the planning area meets the standards and criteria pursuant to subparagraph (b)3. for determining that an areawide development plan will be in the public interest.

(e) The local government shall schedule a public hearing within 60 days after receipt of the petition. The public hearing shall be advertised at least 30 days prior to the hearing. In addition to the public hearing notice by the local government, the petitioner, except when the petitioner is a local government, shall provide actual notice to each person owning land within the proposed areawide development plan at least 30 days prior to the hearing. If the petitioner is a local government, or local governments pursuant to an interlocal agreement, notice of the public hearing shall be provided by the publication of an advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation that meets the requirements of this paragraph. The advertisement must be no less than one-quarter page in a standard size or tabloid size newspaper, and the headline in the advertisement must be in type no smaller than 18 point. The advertisement shall not be published in that portion of the newspaper where legal notices and classified advertisements appear. The advertisement must be published in a newspaper of general paid circulation in the county and of general interest and readership in the community, not one of limited subject matter, pursuant to chapter 50. Whenever possible, the advertisement must appear in a newspaper that is published at least 5 days a week, unless the only newspaper in the community is published less than 5 days a week. The advertisement must be in substantially the form used to advertise amendments to comprehensive plans pursuant to s. 163.3184. The local government shall specifically notify in writing the regional planning agency and the state land planning agency at least 30 days prior to the public hearing. At the public hearing, all interested parties may testify and submit evidence regarding the petitioner’s qualifications, the need for and benefits of an areawide development of regional impact, and such other issues relevant to a full consideration of the petition. If more than one local government has jurisdiction over the defined planning area in an areawide development plan, the local governments shall hold a joint public hearing. Such hearing shall address, at a minimum, the need to resolve conflicting ordinances or comprehensive plans, if any. The local government holding the joint hearing shall comply with the following additional requirements:

1. The notice of the hearing shall be published at least 60 days in advance of the hearing and shall specify where the petition may be reviewed.

2. The notice shall be given to the state land planning agency, to the applicable regional planning agency, and to such other persons as may have been designated by the state land planning agency as entitled to receive such notices.

3. A public hearing date shall be set by the appropriate local government at the next scheduled meeting.

(f) Following the public hearing, the local government shall issue a written order, appealable under s. 380.07, which approves, approves with conditions, or denies the petition. It shall approve the petitioner as the developer if it finds that the petitioner and defined planning area meet the standards and criteria, consistent with applicable law, pursuant to subparagraph (b)3.

(g) The local government shall submit any order which approves the petition, or approves the petition with conditions, to the petitioner, to all owners of property within the defined planning area, to the regional planning agency, and to the state land planning agency within 30 days after the order becomes effective.

(h) The petitioner, an owner of property within the defined planning area, the appropriate regional planning agency by vote at a regularly scheduled meeting, or the state land planning agency may appeal the decision of the local government to the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission by filing a notice of appeal with the commission. The procedures established in s. 380.07 shall be followed for such an appeal.

(i) After the time for appeal of the decision has run, an approved developer may submit an application for development approval for a proposed areawide development of regional impact for land within the defined planning area, pursuant to subsection (6). Development undertaken in conformance with an areawide development order issued under this section shall not require further development-of-regional-impact review.

(j) In reviewing an application for a proposed areawide development of regional impact, the regional planning agency shall evaluate, and the local government shall consider, the following criteria, in addition to any other criteria set forth in this section:

1. Whether the developer has demonstrated its legal, financial, and administrative ability to perform any commitments it has made in the application for a proposed areawide development of regional impact.

2. Whether the developer has demonstrated that all property owners within the defined planning area consent or do not object to the proposed areawide development of regional impact.

3. Whether the area and the anticipated development are consistent with the applicable local, regional, and state comprehensive plans, except as provided for in paragraph (k).

(k) In addition to the requirements of subsection (14), a development order approving, or approving with conditions, a proposed areawide development of regional impact shall specify the approved land uses and the amount of development approved within each land use category in the defined planning area. The development order shall incorporate by reference the approved areawide development plan. The local government shall not approve an areawide development plan that is inconsistent with the local comprehensive plan, except that a local government may amend its comprehensive plan pursuant to paragraph (6)(b).

(l) Any owner of property within the defined planning area may withdraw his or her consent to the areawide development plan at any time prior to local government approval, with or without conditions, of the petition; and the plan, the areawide development order, and the exemption from development-of-regional-impact review of individual projects under this section shall not thereafter apply to the owner’s property. After the areawide development order is issued, a landowner may withdraw his or her consent only with the approval of the local government.

(m) If the developer of an areawide development of regional impact is a general purpose local government with jurisdiction over the land area included within the areawide development proposal and if no interest in the land within the land area is owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by a person, corporate or natural, for the purpose of mining or beneficiation of minerals, then:

1. Demonstration of property owner consent or lack of objection to an areawide development plan shall not be required; and

2. The option to withdraw consent does not apply, and all property and development within the areawide development planning area shall be subject to the areawide plan and to the development order conditions.

(n) After a development order approving an areawide development plan is received, changes shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (19), except that the percentages and numerical criteria shall be double those listed in paragraph (19)(b).

(26) ABANDONMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS OF REGIONAL IMPACT.—

(a) There is hereby established a process to abandon a development of regional impact and its associated development orders. A development of regional impact and its associated development orders may be proposed to be abandoned by the owner or developer. The local government in which the development of regional impact is located also may propose to abandon the development of regional impact, provided that the local government gives individual written notice to each development-of-regional-impact owner and developer of record, and provided that no such owner or developer objects in writing to the local government prior to or at the public hearing pertaining to abandonment of the development of regional impact. The state land planning agency is authorized to promulgate rules that shall include, but not be limited to, criteria for determining whether to grant, grant with conditions, or deny a proposal to abandon, and provisions to ensure that the developer satisfies all applicable conditions of the development order and adequately mitigates for the impacts of the development. If there is no existing development within the development of regional impact at the time of abandonment and no development within the development of regional impact is proposed by the owner or developer after such abandonment, an abandonment order shall not require the owner or developer to contribute any land, funds, or public facilities as a condition of such abandonment order. The rules shall also provide a procedure for filing notice of the abandonment pursuant to s. 28.222 with the clerk of the circuit court for each county in which the development of regional impact is located. Any decision by a local government concerning the abandonment of a development of regional impact shall be subject to an appeal pursuant to s. 380.07. The issues in any such appeal shall be confined to whether the provisions of this subsection or any rules promulgated thereunder have been satisfied.

(b) Upon receipt of written confirmation from the state land planning agency that any required mitigation applicable to completed development has occurred, an industrial development of regional impact located within the coastal high-hazard area of a rural county of economic concern which was approved prior to the adoption of the local government’s comprehensive plan required under s. 163.3167 and which plan’s future land use map and zoning designates the land use for the development of regional impact as commercial may be unilaterally abandoned without the need to proceed through the process described in paragraph (a) if the developer or owner provides a notice of abandonment to the local government and records such notice with the applicable clerk of court. Abandonment shall be deemed to have occurred upon the recording of the notice. All development following abandonment shall be fully consistent with the current comprehensive plan and applicable zoning.

(27) RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER A DEVELOPMENT ORDER.—If a developer or owner is in doubt as to his or her rights, responsibilities, and obligations under a development order and the development order does not clearly define his or her rights, responsibilities, and obligations, the developer or owner may request participation in resolving the dispute through the dispute resolution process outlined in s. 186.509. The Department of Community Affairs shall be notified by certified mail of any meeting held under the process provided for by this subsection at least 5 days before the meeting.

(28) PARTIAL STATUTORY EXEMPTIONS.—

(a) If the binding agreement referenced under paragraph (24)(l) for urban service boundaries is not entered into within 12 months after establishment of the urban service boundary, the development-of-regional-impact review for projects within the urban service boundary must address transportation impacts only.

(b) If the binding agreement referenced under paragraph (24)(m) for rural land stewardship areas is not entered into within 12 months after the designation of a rural land stewardship area, the development-of-regional-impact review for projects within the rural land stewardship area must address transportation impacts only.

(c) If the binding agreement for designated urban infill and redevelopment areas is not entered into within 12 months after the designation of the area or July 1, 2007, whichever occurs later, the development-of-regional-impact review for projects within the urban infill and redevelopment area must address transportation impacts only.

(d) A local government that does not wish to enter into a binding agreement or that is unable to agree on the terms of the agreement referenced under paragraph (24)(l) or paragraph (24)(m) shall provide written notification to the state land planning agency of the decision to not enter into a binding agreement or the failure to enter into a binding agreement within the 12-month period referenced in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c). Following the notification of the state land planning agency, development-of-regional-impact review for projects within an urban service boundary under paragraph (24)(l), or a rural land stewardship area under paragraph (24)(m), must address transportation impacts only.

(e) The vesting provision of s. 163.3167(8) relating to an authorized development of regional impact shall not apply to those projects partially exempt from the development-of-regional-impact review process under paragraphs (a)-(d).

(29) EXEMPTIONS FOR DENSE URBAN LAND AREAS.—

(a) The following are exempt from this section:

1. Any proposed development in a municipality that qualifies as a dense urban land area as defined in s. 163.3164;

2. Any proposed development within a county that qualifies as a dense urban land area as defined in s. 163.3164 and that is located within an urban service area as defined in s. 163.3164 which has been adopted into the comprehensive plan; or

3. Any proposed development within a county, including the municipalities located therein, which has a population of at least 900,000, which qualifies as a dense urban land area under s. 163.3164, but which does not have an urban service area designated in the comprehensive plan.

(b) If a municipality that does not qualify as a dense urban land area pursuant to s. 163.3164 designates any of the following areas in its comprehensive plan, any proposed development within the designated area is exempt from the development-of-regional-impact process:

1. Urban infill as defined in s. 163.3164;

2. Community redevelopment areas as defined in s. 163.340;

3. Downtown revitalization areas as defined in s. 163.3164;

4. Urban infill and redevelopment under s. 163.2517; or

5. Urban service areas as defined in s. 163.3164 or areas within a designated urban service boundary under s. 163.3177(14).

(c) If a county that does not qualify as a dense urban land area pursuant to s. 163.3164 designates any of the following areas in its comprehensive plan, any proposed development within the designated area is exempt from the development-of-regional-impact process:

1. Urban infill as defined in s. 163.3164;

2. Urban infill and redevelopment under s. 163.2517; or

3. Urban service areas as defined in s. 163.3164.

(d) A development that is located partially outside an area that is exempt from the development-of-regional-impact program must undergo development-of-regional-impact review pursuant to this section.

(e) In an area that is exempt under paragraphs (a)-(c), any previously approved development-of-regional-impact development orders shall continue to be effective, but the developer has the option to be governed by s. 380.115(1). A pending application for development approval shall be governed by s. 380.115(2). A development that has a pending application for a comprehensive plan amendment and that elects not to continue development-of-regional-impact review is exempt from the limitation on plan amendments set forth in s. 163.3187(1) for the year following the effective date of the exemption.

(f) Local governments must submit by mail a development order to the state land planning agency for projects that would be larger than 120 percent of any applicable development-of regional-impact threshold and would require development-of-regional-impact review but for the exemption from the program under paragraphs (a)-(c). For such development orders, the state land planning agency may appeal the development order pursuant to s. 380.07 for inconsistency with the comprehensive plan adopted under chapter 163.

(g) If a local government that qualifies as a dense urban land area under this subsection is subsequently found to be ineligible for designation as a dense urban land area, any development located within that area which has a complete, pending application for authorization to commence development may maintain the exemption if the developer is continuing the application process in good faith or the development is approved.

(h) This subsection does not limit or modify the rights of any person to complete any development that has been authorized as a development of regional impact pursuant to this chapter.

(i) This subsection does not apply to areas:

1. Within the boundary of any area of critical state concern designated pursuant to s. 380.05;

2. Within the boundary of the Wekiva Study Area as described in s. 369.316; or

3. Within 2 miles of the boundary of the Everglades Protection Area as described in s. 373.4592(2).

1Note.—As amended by s. 95, ch. 2002-20. The amendment by s. 30, ch. 2002-296, provides for less than or equal to 100 percent.

2Note.—Subparagraph cites were amended by s. 12, ch. 2006-69, and s. 8, ch. 2006-220. Reference to subparagraph 7. regarding the increase in the number of dwelling units may have inadvertently been left out of the list of cites.

3Note.—

A. Section 14, ch. 2009-96, provides that:

“(1) Except as provided in subsection (4), and in recognition of 2009 real estate market conditions, any permit issued by the Department of Environmental Protection or a water management district pursuant to part IV of chapter 373, Florida Statutes, that has an expiration date of September 1, 2008, through January 1, 2012, is extended and renewed for a period of 2 years following its date of expiration. This extension includes any local government-issued development order or building permit. The 2-year extension also applies to build out dates including any build out date extension previously granted under s. 380.06(19)(c), Florida Statutes. This section shall not be construed to prohibit conversion from the construction phase to the operation phase upon completion of construction.

“(2) The commencement and completion dates for any required mitigation associated with a phased construction project shall be extended such that mitigation takes place in the same timeframe relative to the phase as originally permitted.

“(3) The holder of a valid permit or other authorization that is eligible for the 2-year extension shall notify the authorizing agency in writing no later than December 31, 2009, identifying the specific authorization for which the holder intends to use the extension and the anticipated timeframe for acting on the authorization.

“(4) The extension provided for in subsection (1) does not apply to:

“(a) A permit or other authorization under any programmatic or regional general permit issued by the Army Corps of Engineers.

“(b) A permit or other authorization held by an owner or operator determined to be in significant noncompliance with the conditions of the permit or authorization as established through the issuance of a warning letter or notice of violation, the initiation of formal enforcement, or other equivalent action by the authorizing agency.

“(c) A permit or other authorization, if granted an extension, that would delay or prevent compliance with a court order.

“(5) Permits extended under this section shall continue to be governed by rules in effect at the time the permit was issued, except when it can be demonstrated that the rules in effect at the time the permit was issued would create an immediate threat to public safety or health. This provision shall apply to any modification of the plans, terms, and conditions of the permit that lessens the environmental impact, except that any such modification shall not extend the time limit beyond 2 additional years.

“(6) Nothing in this section shall impair the authority of a county or municipality to require the owner of a property, that has notified the county or municipality of the owner’s intention to receive the extension of time granted by this section, to maintain and secure the property in a safe and sanitary condition in compliance with applicable laws and ordinances.”

B. Section 46, ch. 2010-147, provides that:

“(1) Except as provided in subsection (4), a development order issued by a local government, a building permit, and any permit issued by the Department of Environmental Protection or by a water management district pursuant to part IV of chapter 373, Florida Statutes, which has an expiration date from September 1, 2008, through January 1, 2012, is extended and renewed for a period of 2 years after its previously scheduled date of expiration. This 2-year extension also applies to buildout dates, including any extension of a buildout date that was previously granted under s. 380.06(19)(c), Florida Statutes. This section does not prohibit conversion from the construction phase to the operation phase upon completion of construction. This extension is in addition to the 2-year permit extension provided under section 14 of chapter 2009-96, Laws of Florida.

“(2) The commencement and completion dates for any required mitigation associated with a phased construction project are extended so that mitigation takes place in the same timeframe relative to the phase as originally permitted.

“(3) The holder of a valid permit or other authorization that is eligible for the 2-year extension must notify the authorizing agency in writing by December 31, 2010, identifying the specific authorization for which the holder intends to use the extension and the anticipated timeframe for acting on the authorization.

“(4) The extension provided for in subsection (1) does not apply to:

“(a) A permit or other authorization under any programmatic or regional general permit issued by the Army Corps of Engineers.

“(b) A permit or other authorization held by an owner or operator determined to be in significant noncompliance with the conditions of the permit or authorization as established through the issuance of a warning letter or notice of violation, the initiation of formal enforcement, or other equivalent action by the authorizing agency.

“(c) A permit or other authorization, if granted an extension that would delay or prevent compliance with a court order.

“(5) Permits extended under this section shall continue to be governed by the rules in effect at the time the permit was issued, except if it is demonstrated that the rules in effect at the time the permit was issued would create an immediate threat to public safety or health. This provision applies to any modification of the plans, terms, and conditions of the permit which lessens the environmental impact, except that any such modification does not extend the time limit beyond 2 additional years.

“(6) This section does not impair the authority of a county or municipality to require the owner of a property that has notified the county or municipality of the owner’s intent to receive the extension of time granted pursuant to this section to maintain and secure the property in a safe and sanitary condition in compliance with applicable laws and ordinances.”

C. Section 47, ch. 2010-147, provides that:

“(1) The Legislature hereby reauthorizes:

“(a) Any exemption granted for any project for which an application for development approval has been approved or filed pursuant to s. 380.06, Florida Statutes, or for which a complete development application or rescission request has been approved or is pending, and the application or rescission process is continuing in good faith, within a development that is located within an area that qualified for an exemption under s. 380.06, Florida Statutes, as amended by chapter 2009-96, Laws of Florida.

“(b) Any 2-year extension authorized and timely applied for pursuant to section 14 of chapter 2009-96, Laws of Florida.

“(c) Any amendment to a local comprehensive plan adopted pursuant to s. 163.3184, Florida Statutes, as amended by chapter 2009-96, Laws of Florida, and in effect pursuant to s. 163.3189, Florida Statutes, which authorizes and implements a transportation concurrency exception area pursuant to s. 163.3180, Florida Statutes, as amended by chapter 2009-96, Laws of Florida.

“(2) Subsection (1) is intended to be remedial in nature and to reenact provisions of existing law. This section shall apply retroactively to all actions specified in subsection (1) and therefore to any such actions lawfully undertaken in accordance with chapter 2009-96, Laws of Florida”.

380.061 The Florida Quality Developments program.—

(1) There is hereby created the Florida Quality Developments program. The intent of this program is to encourage development which has been thoughtfully planned to take into consideration protection of Florida’s natural amenities, the cost to local government of providing services to a growing community, and the high quality of life Floridians desire. It is further intended that the developer be provided, through a cooperative and coordinated effort, an expeditious and timely review by all agencies with jurisdiction over the project of his or her proposed development.

(2) Developments that may be designated as Florida Quality Developments are those developments which are above 80 percent of any numerical thresholds in the guidelines and standards for development-of-regional-impact review pursuant to s. 380.06.

(3)(a) To be eligible for designation under this program, the developer shall comply with each of the following requirements if applicable to the site of a qualified development:

1. Donate or enter into a binding commitment to donate the fee or a lesser interest sufficient to protect, in perpetuity, the natural attributes of the types of land listed below. In lieu of this requirement, the developer may enter into a binding commitment that runs with the land to set aside such areas on the property, in perpetuity, as open space to be retained in a natural condition or as otherwise permitted under this subparagraph. Under the requirements of this subparagraph, the developer may reserve the right to use such areas for passive recreation that is consistent with the purposes for which the land was preserved.

a. Those wetlands and water bodies throughout the state which would be delineated if the provisions of s. 373.4145(1)(b) were applied. The developer may use such areas for the purpose of site access, provided other routes of access are unavailable or impracticable; may use such areas for the purpose of stormwater or domestic sewage management and other necessary utilities if such uses are permitted pursuant to chapter 403; or may redesign or alter wetlands and water bodies within the jurisdiction of the Department of Environmental Protection which have been artificially created if the redesign or alteration is done so as to produce a more naturally functioning system.

b. Active beach or primary and, where appropriate, secondary dunes, to maintain the integrity of the dune system and adequate public accessways to the beach. However, the developer may retain the right to construct and maintain elevated walkways over the dunes to provide access to the beach.

c. Known archaeological sites determined to be of significance by the Division of Historical Resources of the Department of State.

d. Areas known to be important to animal species designated as endangered or threatened by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, for reproduction, feeding, or nesting; for traveling between such areas used for reproduction, feeding, or nesting; or for escape from predation.

e. Areas known to contain plant species designated as endangered by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

2. Produce, or dispose of, no substances designated as hazardous or toxic substances by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Environmental Protection, or the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This subparagraph does not apply to the production of these substances in nonsignificant amounts as would occur through household use or incidental use by businesses.

3. Participate in a downtown reuse or redevelopment program to improve and rehabilitate a declining downtown area.

4. Incorporate no dredge and fill activities in, and no stormwater discharge into, waters designated as Class II, aquatic preserves, or Outstanding Florida Waters, except as permitted pursuant to s. 403.813(1), and the developer demonstrates that those activities meet the standards under Class II waters, Outstanding Florida Waters, or aquatic preserves, as applicable.

5. Include open space, recreation areas, Florida-friendly landscaping as defined in s. 373.185, and energy conservation and minimize impermeable surfaces as appropriate to the location and type of project.

6. Provide for construction and maintenance of all onsite infrastructure necessary to support the project and enter into a binding commitment with local government to provide an appropriate fair-share contribution toward the offsite impacts that the development will impose on publicly funded facilities and services, except offsite transportation, and condition or phase the commencement of development to ensure that public facilities and services, except offsite transportation, are available concurrent with the impacts of the development. For the purposes of offsite transportation impacts, the developer shall comply, at a minimum, with the standards of the state land planning agency’s development-of-regional-impact transportation rule, the approved strategic regional policy plan, any applicable regional planning council transportation rule, and the approved local government comprehensive plan and land development regulations adopted pursuant to part II of chapter 163.

7. Design and construct the development in a manner that is consistent with the adopted state plan, the applicable strategic regional policy plan, and the applicable adopted local government comprehensive plan.

(b) In addition to the foregoing requirements, the developer shall plan and design his or her development in a manner which includes the needs of the people in this state as identified in the state comprehensive plan and the quality of life of the people who will live and work in or near the development. The developer is encouraged to plan and design his or her development in an innovative manner. These planning and design features may include, but are not limited to, such things as affordable housing, care for the elderly, urban renewal or redevelopment, mass transit, the protection and preservation of wetlands outside the jurisdiction of the Department of Environmental Protection or of uplands as wildlife habitat, provision for the recycling of solid waste, provision for onsite child care, enhancement of emergency management capabilities, the preservation of areas known to be primary habitat for significant populations of species of special concern designated by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, or community economic development. These additional amenities will be considered in determining whether the development qualifies for designation under this program.

(4) The department shall adopt an application for development designation consistent with the intent of this section.

(5)(a) Before filing an application for development designation, the developer shall contact the Department of Community Affairs to arrange one or more preapplication conferences with the other reviewing entities. Upon the request of the developer or any of the reviewing entities, other affected state or regional agencies shall participate in this conference. The department, in coordination with the local government with jurisdiction and the regional planning council, shall provide the developer information about the Florida Quality Developments designation process and the use of preapplication conferences to identify issues, coordinate appropriate state, regional, and local agency requirements, fully address any concerns of the local government, the regional planning council, and other reviewing agencies and the meeting of those concerns, if applicable, through development order conditions, and otherwise promote a proper, efficient, and timely review of the proposed Florida Quality Development. The department shall take the lead in coordinating the review process.

(b) The developer shall submit the application to the state land planning agency, the appropriate regional planning agency, and the appropriate local government for review. The review shall be conducted under the time limits and procedures set forth in s. 120.60, except that the 90-day time limit shall cease to run when the state land planning agency and the local government have notified the applicant of their decision on whether the development should be designated under this program.

(c) At any time prior to the issuance of the Florida Quality Development development order, the developer of a proposed Florida Quality Development shall have the right to withdraw the proposed project from consideration as a Florida Quality Development. The developer may elect to convert the proposed project to a proposed development of regional impact. The conversion shall be in the form of a letter to the reviewing entities stating the developer’s intent to seek authorization for the development as a development of regional impact under s. 380.06. If a proposed Florida Quality Development converts to a development of regional impact, the developer shall resubmit the appropriate application and the development shall be subject to all applicable procedures under s. 380.06, except that:

1. A preapplication conference held under paragraph (a) satisfies the preapplication procedures requirement under s. 380.06(7); and

2. If requested in the withdrawal letter, a finding of completeness of the application under paragraph (a) and s. 120.60 may be converted to a finding of sufficiency by the regional planning council if such a conversion is approved by the regional planning council.

The regional planning council shall have 30 days to notify the developer if the request for conversion of completeness to sufficiency is granted or denied. If granted and the application is found sufficient, the regional planning council shall notify the local government that a public hearing date may be set to consider the development for approval as a development of regional impact, and the development shall be subject to all applicable rules, standards, and procedures of s. 380.06. If the request for conversion of completeness to sufficiency is denied, the developer shall resubmit the appropriate application for review and the development shall be subject to all applicable procedures under s. 380.06, except as otherwise provided in this paragraph.

(d) If the local government and state land planning agency agree that the project should be designated under this program, the state land planning agency shall issue a development order which incorporates the plan of development as set out in the application along with any agreed-upon modifications and conditions, based on recommendations by the local government and regional planning council, and a certification that the development is designated as one of Florida’s Quality Developments. In the event of conflicting recommendations, the state land planning agency, after consultation with the local government and the regional planning agency, shall resolve such conflicts in the development order. Upon designation, the development, as approved, is exempt from development-of-regional-impact review pursuant to s. 380.06.

(e) If the local government or state land planning agency, or both, recommends against designation, the development shall undergo development-of-regional-impact review pursuant to s. 380.06, except as provided in subsection (6) of this section.

(6)(a) In the event that the development is not designated under subsection (5), the developer may appeal that determination to the Quality Developments Review Board. The board shall consist of the secretary of the state land planning agency, the Secretary of Environmental Protection and a member designated by the secretary, the Secretary of Transportation, the executive director of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the executive director of the appropriate water management district created pursuant to chapter 373, and the chief executive officer of the appropriate local government. When there is a significant historical or archaeological site within the boundaries of a development which is appealed to the board, the director of the Division of Historical Resources of the Department of State shall also sit on the board. The staff of the state land planning agency shall serve as staff to the board.

(b) The board shall meet once each quarter of the year. However, a meeting may be waived if no appeals are pending.

(c) On appeal, the sole issue shall be whether the development meets the statutory criteria for designation under this program. An affirmative vote of at least five members of the board, including the affirmative vote of the chief executive officer of the appropriate local government, shall be necessary to designate the development by the board.

(d) The state land planning agency shall adopt procedural rules for consideration of appeals under this subsection.

(7)(a) The development order issued pursuant to this section is enforceable in the same manner as a development order issued pursuant to s. 380.06.

(b) Appeal of a development order issued pursuant to this section shall be available only pursuant to s. 380.07.

(8)(a) Any local government comprehensive plan amendments related to a Florida Quality Development may be initiated by a local planning agency and considered by the local governing body at the same time as the application for development approval, using the procedures provided for local plan amendment in s. 163.3187 or s. 163.3189 and applicable local ordinances, without regard to statutory or local ordinance limits on the frequency of consideration of amendments to the local comprehensive plan. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require favorable consideration of a Florida Quality Development solely because it is related to a development of regional impact.

(b) The department shall adopt, by rule, standards and procedures necessary to implement the Florida Quality Developments program. The rules must include, but need not be limited to, provisions governing annual reports and criteria for determining whether a proposed change to an approved Florida Quality Development is a substantial change requiring further review.

(1) By petition to the Administration Commission, a local government may request certification to review developments of regional impact that are located within the jurisdiction in lieu of the regional review requirements set forth in s. 380.06. Such petitions shall not be accepted by the commission until the state comprehensive plan and the strategic regional policy plan have been adopted pursuant to chapter 186. Once certified, the development-of-regional-impact provisions of s. 380.06 shall not be applicable within such jurisdiction.

(2) When a petition is filed, the state land planning agency shall have no more than 90 days to prepare and submit to the Administration Commission a report and recommendations on the proposed certification. In deciding whether to grant certification, the Administration Commission shall determine whether the following criteria are being met:

(a) The petitioning local government has adopted and effectively implemented a local comprehensive plan and development regulations which comply with ss. 163.3161-163.3215, the Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act.

(b) The local government’s comprehensive plan is consistent with the adopted state comprehensive plan and adopted strategic regional policy plans applicable to the local governmental jurisdiction.

(c) The local government has adopted land development regulations and a capital improvements program which are consistent with and effectively implement the local comprehensive plan and which provide that no development order may be approved until adequate provision has been made for the services and infrastructure necessary to support the development.

(d) The local government has authority for, and has established an effective mechanism for, resolving greater-than-local impacts of developments.

(e) The local government comprehensive plan provides for effective intergovernmental coordination, including a method to address any significant incompatibilities between and among local government comprehensive plans where implementation of such incompatible plan would result in a substantial adverse effect on the citizens of another local government.

(f) The local government has adopted procedures which permit orderly local citizen participation in at least one public hearing held during the local government review process.

(g) The local government has adequate review procedures and the financial and staffing resources necessary to assume responsibility for adequate review of developments.

(h) The local government has a record of effectively monitoring and enforcing compliance with development orders, permits, and this chapter.

(3) Development orders issued pursuant to this section are subject to the provisions of s. 380.07; however, a certified local government’s findings of fact and conclusions of law are presumed to be correct on appeal. The grounds for appeal of a development order issued by a certified local government under this section shall be limited to:

(a) Inconsistency with the local government’s comprehensive plan or land use regulations.

(b) Inconsistency with the state comprehensive plan.

(c) Inconsistency with any regional standard or policy identified in an adopted strategic regional policy plan for use in reviewing a development of regional impact.

(d) Whether the public facilities meet or exceed the standards established in the capital improvements plan required by s. 163.3177 and will be available when needed for the proposed development, or that development orders and permits are conditioned on the availability of the public facilities necessary to serve the proposed development. Such development orders and permit conditions shall not allow a reduction in the level of service for affected regional public facilities below the level of services provided in the adopted strategic regional policy plan.

(4) After a local government has been certified to conduct development-of-regional-impact review, that review responsibility may be revoked by the Administration Commission upon a determination, subject to the provisions of ss. 120.569 and 120.57, that one or more of the criteria specified in subsection (2) are not being met.

(5) Upon revocation of certification, developments of regional impact shall be reviewed by the regional planning agency designated development-of-regional-impact review responsibilities for the region in which the local government is located, pursuant to s. 380.06.

(7) A county may petition to conduct development-of-regional-impact review within a municipality if approved by the municipality or so provided in the county charter or a special act.

(8) Nothing contained herein shall abridge or modify any vested or other rights or any obligations pursuant to any development order which are now applicable to developments of regional impact.

(9) A development of regional impact with pending applications for development approval may elect to continue such review pursuant to s. 380.06.

(10) The department shall submit an annual progress report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by March 1 on the certification of local governments, stating which local governments have been certified. For those local governments which have applied for certification but for which certification has been denied, the department shall specify the reasons certification was denied.

(1) The statewide guidelines and standards for developments required to undergo development-of-regional-impact review provided in this section supersede the statewide guidelines and standards previously adopted by the Administration Commission that address the same development. Other standards and guidelines previously adopted by the Administration Commission, including the residential standards and guidelines, shall not be superseded. The guidelines and standards shall be applied in the manner described in s. 380.06(2)(a).

(2) The Administration Commission shall publish the statewide guidelines and standards established in this section in its administrative rule in place of the guidelines and standards that are superseded by this act, without the proceedings required by s. 120.54 and notwithstanding the provisions of s. 120.545(1)(c). The Administration Commission shall initiate rulemaking proceedings pursuant to s. 120.54 to make all other technical revisions necessary to conform the rules to this act. Rule amendments made pursuant to this subsection shall not be subject to the requirement for legislative approval pursuant to s. 380.06(2).

(3) The following statewide guidelines and standards shall be applied in the manner described in s. 380.06(2) to determine whether the following developments shall be required to undergo development-of-regional-impact review:

(a) Airports.—

1. Any of the following airport construction projects shall be a development of regional impact:

a. A new commercial service or general aviation airport with paved runways.

b. A new commercial service or general aviation paved runway.

c. A new passenger terminal facility.

2. Lengthening of an existing runway by 25 percent or an increase in the number of gates by 25 percent or three gates, whichever is greater, on a commercial service airport or a general aviation airport with regularly scheduled flights is a development of regional impact. However, expansion of existing terminal facilities at a nonhub or small hub commercial service airport shall not be a development of regional impact.

3. Any airport development project which is proposed for safety, repair, or maintenance reasons alone and would not have the potential to increase or change existing types of aircraft activity is not a development of regional impact. Notwithstanding subparagraphs 1. and 2., renovation, modernization, or replacement of airport airside or terminal facilities that may include increases in square footage of such facilities but does not increase the number of gates or change the existing types of aircraft activity is not a development of regional impact.

For purposes of this subsection, “serial performance facilities” means those using their parking areas or permanent seating more than one time per day on a regular or continuous basis.

3. For multiscreen movie theaters of at least 8 screens and 2,500 seats:

a. Provides parking spaces for more than 1,500 cars; or

b. Provides more than 6,000 permanent seats for spectators.

(c) Industrial plants, industrial parks, and distribution, warehousing or wholesaling facilities.—Any proposed industrial, manufacturing, or processing plant, or distribution, warehousing, or wholesaling facility, excluding wholesaling developments which deal primarily with the general public onsite, under common ownership, or any proposed industrial, manufacturing, or processing activity or distribution, warehousing, or wholesaling activity, excluding wholesaling activities which deal primarily with the general public onsite, which:

1. Provides parking for more than 2,500 motor vehicles; or

2. Occupies a site greater than 320 acres.

(d) Office development.—Any proposed office building or park operated under common ownership, development plan, or management that:

1. Encompasses 300,000 or more square feet of gross floor area; or

2. Encompasses more than 600,000 square feet of gross floor area in a county with a population greater than 500,000 and only in a geographic area specifically designated as highly suitable for increased threshold intensity in the approved local comprehensive plan.

(e) Retail and service development.—Any proposed retail, service, or wholesale business establishment or group of establishments which deals primarily with the general public onsite, operated under one common property ownership, development plan, or management that:

1. Encompasses more than 400,000 square feet of gross area; or

2. Provides parking spaces for more than 2,500 cars.

(f) Hotel or motel development.—

1. Any proposed hotel or motel development that is planned to create or accommodate 350 or more units; or

2. Any proposed hotel or motel development that is planned to create or accommodate 750 or more units, in a county with a population greater than 500,000.

(h) Multiuse development.—Any proposed development with two or more land uses where the sum of the percentages of the appropriate thresholds identified in chapter 28-24, Florida Administrative Code, or this section for each land use in the development is equal to or greater than 145 percent. Any proposed development with three or more land uses, one of which is residential and contains at least 100 dwelling units or 15 percent of the applicable residential threshold, whichever is greater, where the sum of the percentages of the appropriate thresholds identified in chapter 28-24, Florida Administrative Code, or this section for each land use in the development is equal to or greater than 160 percent. This threshold is in addition to, and does not preclude, a development from being required to undergo development-of-regional-impact review under any other threshold.

(i) Residential development.—No rule may be adopted concerning residential developments which treats a residential development in one county as being located in a less populated adjacent county unless more than 25 percent of the development is located within 2 or less miles of the less populated adjacent county. The residential thresholds of adjacent counties with less population and a lower threshold shall not be controlling on any development wholly located within areas designated as rural areas of critical economic concern.

(j) Workforce housing.—The applicable guidelines for residential development and the residential component for multiuse development shall be increased by 50 percent where the developer demonstrates that at least 15 percent of the total residential dwelling units authorized within the development of regional impact will be dedicated to affordable workforce housing, subject to a recorded land use restriction that shall be for a period of not less than 20 years and that includes resale provisions to ensure long-term affordability for income-eligible homeowners and renters and provisions for the workforce housing to be commenced prior to the completion of 50 percent of the market rate dwelling. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “affordable workforce housing” means housing that is affordable to a person who earns less than 120 percent of the area median income, or less than 140 percent of the area median income if located in a county in which the median purchase price for a single-family existing home exceeds the statewide median purchase price of a single-family existing home. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “statewide median purchase price of a single-family existing home” means the statewide purchase price as determined in the Florida Sales Report, Single-Family Existing Homes, released each January by the Florida Association of Realtors and the University of Florida Real Estate Research Center.

(k) Schools.—

1. The proposed construction of any public, private, or proprietary postsecondary educational campus which provides for a design population of more than 5,000 full-time equivalent students, or the proposed physical expansion of any public, private, or proprietary postsecondary educational campus having such a design population that would increase the population by at least 20 percent of the design population.

2. As used in this paragraph, “full-time equivalent student” means enrollment for 15 or more quarter hours during a single academic semester. In career centers or other institutions which do not employ semester hours or quarter hours in accounting for student participation, enrollment for 18 contact hours shall be considered equivalent to one quarter hour, and enrollment for 27 contact hours shall be considered equivalent to one semester hour.

3. This paragraph does not apply to institutions which are the subject of a campus master plan adopted by the university board of trustees pursuant to s. 1013.30.

(4) Two or more developments, represented by their owners or developers to be separate developments, shall be aggregated and treated as a single development under this chapter when they are determined to be part of a unified plan of development and are physically proximate to one other.

(a) The criteria of two of the following subparagraphs must be met in order for the state land planning agency to determine that there is a unified plan of development:

1.a. The same person has retained or shared control of the developments;

b. The same person has ownership or a significant legal or equitable interest in the developments; or

c. There is common management of the developments controlling the form of physical development or disposition of parcels of the development.

2. There is a reasonable closeness in time between the completion of 80 percent or less of one development and the submission to a governmental agency of a master plan or series of plans or drawings for the other development which is indicative of a common development effort.

3. A master plan or series of plans or drawings exists covering the developments sought to be aggregated which have been submitted to a local general-purpose government, water management district, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, or the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes for authorization to commence development. The existence or implementation of a utility’s master utility plan required by the Public Service Commission or general-purpose local government or a master drainage plan shall not be the sole determinant of the existence of a master plan.

4. The voluntary sharing of infrastructure that is indicative of a common development effort or is designated specifically to accommodate the developments sought to be aggregated, except that which was implemented because it was required by a local general-purpose government; water management district; the Department of Environmental Protection; the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes; or the Public Service Commission.

5. There is a common advertising scheme or promotional plan in effect for the developments sought to be aggregated.

(b) The following activities or circumstances shall not be considered in determining whether to aggregate two or more developments:

1. Activities undertaken leading to the adoption or amendment of any comprehensive plan element described in part II of chapter 163.

2. The sale of unimproved parcels of land, where the seller does not retain significant control of the future development of the parcels.

3. The fact that the same lender has a financial interest, including one acquired through foreclosure, in two or more parcels, so long as the lender is not an active participant in the planning, management, or development of the parcels in which it has an interest.

4. Drainage improvements that are not designed to accommodate the types of development listed in the guidelines and standards contained in or adopted pursuant to this chapter or which are not designed specifically to accommodate the developments sought to be aggregated.

(c) Aggregation is not applicable when the following circumstances and provisions of this chapter are applicable:

1. Developments which are otherwise subject to aggregation with a development of regional impact which has received approval through the issuance of a final development order shall not be aggregated with the approved development of regional impact. However, nothing contained in this subparagraph shall preclude the state land planning agency from evaluating an allegedly separate development as a substantial deviation pursuant to s. 380.06(19) or as an independent development of regional impact.

2. Two or more developments, each of which is independently a development of regional impact that has or will obtain a development order pursuant to s. 380.06.

3. Completion of any development that has been vested pursuant to s. 380.05 or s. 380.06, including vested rights arising out of agreements entered into with the state land planning agency for purposes of resolving vested rights issues. Development-of-regional-impact review of additions to vested developments of regional impact shall not include review of the impacts resulting from the vested portions of the development.

4. The developments sought to be aggregated were authorized to commence development prior to September 1, 1988, and could not have been required to be aggregated under the law existing prior to that date.

(d) The provisions of this subsection shall be applied prospectively from September 1, 1988. Written decisions, agreements, and binding letters of interpretation made or issued by the state land planning agency prior to July 1, 1988, shall not be affected by this subsection.

(e) In order to encourage developers to design, finance, donate, or build infrastructure, public facilities, or services, the state land planning agency may enter into binding agreements with two or more developers providing that the joint planning, sharing, or use of specified public infrastructure, facilities, or services by the developers shall not be considered in any subsequent determination of whether a unified plan of development exists for their developments. Such binding agreements may authorize the developers to pool impact fees or impact-fee credits, or to enter into front-end agreements, or other financing arrangements by which they collectively agree to design, finance, donate, or build such public infrastructure, facilities, or services. Such agreements shall be conditioned upon a subsequent determination by the appropriate local government of consistency with the approved local government comprehensive plan and land development regulations. Additionally, the developers must demonstrate that the provision and sharing of public infrastructure, facilities, or services is in the public interest and not merely for the benefit of the developments which are the subject of the agreement. Developments that are the subject of an agreement pursuant to this paragraph shall be aggregated if the state land planning agency determines that sufficient aggregation factors are present to require aggregation without considering the design features, financial arrangements, donations, or construction that are specified in and required by the agreement.

(f) The state land planning agency has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this subsection.

380.0655 Expedited permitting process for marina projects reserving 10 percent or more boat slips for public use.—The Department of Environmental Protection and, as appropriate, the water management districts created by chapter 373 shall adopt programs to expedite the processing of wetland resource and environmental resource permits for marina projects that reserve at least 10 percent of available boat slips for public use.

(1) The Department of Environmental Protection and, as appropriate, the water management districts created under chapter 373 shall adopt programs to expedite the processing of wetland resource and environmental resource permits for economic development projects that have been identified by a municipality or county as meeting the definition of target industry businesses under s. 288.106, with the exception of those projects requiring approval by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund.

(2) A municipality or county shall provide an identified business with a city or county commission resolution identifying the business as a targeted industry business.

(3) A mandatory preapplication review process shall be required to reduce permitting conflicts by providing guidance to applicants regarding the permits needed from each agency and governmental entity, site planning and development, site suitability and limitations, facility design, and steps the applicant can take to ensure expeditious permit application review.

(4) A permit application shall be approved or denied within 45 days after receipt of the original application, the last item of timely requested additional material, or the applicant’s written request to begin processing the permit application.

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, permit applications for projects to be located in a charter county that has a population of 1.2 million or more and has entered into a delegation agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection or the applicable water management district to process environmental resource permits, wetland resource management permits, or surface water management permits pursuant to chapter 373 are eligible for expedited permitting under this section only upon designation by resolution of the charter county’s governing board. Before the governing board decides that a project is eligible for expedited permitting, it may require the county’s economic development agency, or such other agency that provides advice to the governing board on economic matters, to review and recommend whether the project meets the definition of a target industry business as defined in s. 288.106 and to identify the tangible benefits and impacts of the project. The governing board’s decision shall be made without consideration of the project’s geographic location within the charter county. If the governing board designates the project as a target industry business, the permit application for the project shall be approved or denied within the timeframe provided in subsection (4).

History.—s. 2, ch. 2009-134.

380.0661 Legislative intent.—It is hereby declared that the intent of the Legislature is:

(1) To provide a mechanism to equitably deal with the challenges of implementing comprehensive land use plans developed pursuant to the area of critical state concern program, which challenges are often complicated by the environmental sensitivity of such areas.

(2) To provide the mechanism referred to in subsection (1) by creation of a body politic which would have a stable funding source and the flexibility to address plan implementation innovatively and by acting as an intermediary between individual landowners and the governmental entities regulating land use.

History.—s. 1, ch. 86-170.

380.0662 Definitions.—As used in this act, unless the context indicates a different meaning or intent:

(1) “Land authority” means the land authority created by a county pursuant to this act.

(2) “State” means the State of Florida.

(3) “Bonds” means any bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of financial indebtedness issued on behalf of the land authority pursuant to this act.

(4) “Local government” means a unit of local general-purpose government as defined in s. 218.31(2).

(5) “Project” means any work or improvement to real property, buildings, and any other property located in an area of critical state concern.

(6) “Real property” means all lands located in an area of critical state concern, including improvements and fixtures thereon and property of any nature appurtenant thereto or used in connection therewith, and every estate, interest, and right, legal or equitable, therein, including terms of years and liens by way of judgment, mortgage, or otherwise and the indebtedness secured by such liens.

(7) “State Bond Act” means ss. 215.57-215.83, as the same may be amended from time to time.

(8) “State Board of Administration” means the State Board of Administration created by and referred to in s. 9, Art. XII of the State Constitution.

(9) “Division” means the Division of Bond Finance of the State Board of Administration.

(10) “Pledged revenues” means revenues to be derived from s. 125.0108 or s. 380.0685, and any other revenues or assets that may be legally available to pay the principal of, redemption premium if any on, insurance and cash reserves for, and interest on the bonds derived from sources other than ad valorem taxation, including revenues from other sources or any combination thereof; however, in no event shall the full faith and credit of the state or any local government other than the land authority be pledged to secure such revenue bonds.

(11) “Authorized investments” means and includes any of the following securities:

(a) Direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America.

(b) Bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued by any of the following: Bank for Cooperatives; federal intermediate credit banks; federal home loan banks; Export-Import Bank of the United States; federal land banks; Federal National Mortgage Association; Government National Mortgage Association; Federal Financing Bank; Small Business Administration; or any other agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, created by an Act of Congress, substantially similar to the foregoing in its legal relationship to the United States of America.

(c) Public housing bonds issued by public housing agencies and fully secured as to the payment of both principal and interest by a pledge of annual contributions under an annual contributions contract or contracts with the United States of America, and temporary notes, preliminary loan notes, or project notes issued by public housing agencies, in each case fully secured as to the payment of both principal and interest by a requisition or payment agreement with the United States of America.

(d) Interest-bearing time or demand deposits, certificates of deposit, or other similar banking arrangements with any bank, trust company, national banking association, or other depository institution, including any trustee or other fiduciary with respect to the bonds of the land authority, provided:

1. The deposits, certificates, and other arrangements are insured to the satisfaction of the land authority by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation;

2. The depository institution has combined capital and surplus of at least $10 million and the deposits, certificates, and other arrangements are fully secured by obligations described in paragraphs (a)-(c), inclusive, or a combination thereof; or

3. The depository institution has combined capital and surplus of at least $25 million.

(e) Contracts for the purchase and sale of obligations described in paragraphs (a) and (b), provided that if the parties with which the contracts are made are not members of the Federal Reserve System or if the parties, including members of the Federal Reserve System, are not required to set aside and otherwise identify, to the satisfaction of the agency, obligations described in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) to such contracts as security or reserve therefor in an amount at least equal to the face value of each contract, the obligations shall be delivered to and held by a trustee or other fiduciary with respect to the bonds of the agency during the term of the contracts.

(1) Each county in which one or more areas of critical state concern are located is authorized to create, by ordinance, a public body corporate and politic, to be known as a land authority, which may be renamed by the governing board of the county. The governing body of the land authority shall be the governing board of the county. For the purposes of this act, the governing body of the land authority shall be referred to individually or collectively as the members or membership of the land authority, whichever is appropriate.

(2) The chair and a vice chair shall be elected annually by the members of the land authority. The membership of the land authority may also designate and elect any additional officers as may be deemed necessary in order to carry out the responsibilities pursuant to this act.

(3) Members of the land authority shall receive no compensation for services but shall be entitled to necessary expenses, including per diem and travel expenses, incurred in the discharge of official duties as provided by law.

History.—s. 1, ch. 86-170; s. 642, ch. 95-148.

380.0664 Quorum; voting; meetings.—The powers of the land authority shall be vested in its members in office from time to time. A majority of the members of the land authority eligible to vote shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting its business and exercising its powers and for all other purposes. Action may be taken by the land authority upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and eligible to vote; however, no action shall be taken by an affirmative vote of less than a majority of the total membership. Meetings shall be held at the call of the chair or any three members.

History.—s. 1, ch. 86-170; s. 643, ch. 95-148.

380.0665 Executive director; agents and employees.—The appointment and removal of an executive director shall be by the members of the land authority. The executive director shall subsequently employ legal and technical experts and such other agents and employees, permanent and temporary, as the land authority may require.

History.—s. 1, ch. 86-170.

380.0666 Powers of land authority.—The land authority shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this act, including the following powers, which are in addition to all other powers granted by other provisions of this act:

(1) To sue and be sued; to have a seal, to alter the same at pleasure, and to authorize the use of a facsimile thereof; and to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers of the land authority.

(2) To undertake and carry out studies and analyses of county land planning needs within areas of critical state concern and ways of meeting those needs.

(3) To acquire and dispose of real and personal property or any interest therein when such acquisition is necessary or appropriate to protect the natural environment, provide public access or public recreational facilities, preserve wildlife habitat areas, provide affordable housing to families whose income does not exceed 160 percent of the median family income for the area, or provide access to management of acquired lands; to acquire interests in land by means of land exchanges; and to enter into all alternatives to the acquisition of fee interests in land, including, but not limited to, the acquisition of easements, development rights, life estates, leases, and leaseback arrangements. However, the land authority shall make such acquisition only if:

(a) Such acquisition is consistent with land development regulations and local comprehensive plans adopted and approved pursuant to this chapter;

(b) The property acquired is within an area designated as an area of critical state concern at the time of acquisition or is within an area that was designated as an area of critical state concern for at least 20 consecutive years prior to removal of the designation; and

(c) The property to be acquired has not been selected for purchase through another local, regional, state, or federal public land acquisition program. Such restriction shall not apply if the land authority cooperates with the other public land acquisition programs which listed the lands for acquisition, to coordinate the acquisition and disposition of such lands. In such cases, the land authority may enter into contractual or other agreements to acquire lands jointly or for eventual resale to other public land acquisition programs.

(4) To borrow money through the issuance of bonds for the purposes provided in this act, to provide for and secure the payment thereof, and to provide for the rights of the holders thereof.

(5) To purchase bonds of the land authority out of any funds or moneys of the land authority available therefor and to hold, cancel, or resell such bonds.

(6) To invest any funds held in reserves or sinking funds, or any funds not required for immediate disbursement, in such investments as may be authorized for trust funds under s. 215.47, and in any authorized investments, if such investments are made on behalf of the land authority by the State Board of Administration or by another trustee appointed for that purpose.

(7) To contract for and to accept gifts, grants, loans, or other aid from the United States Government or any person or corporation, including gifts of real property or any interest therein.

(8) To insure and procure insurance against any loss in connection with any bonds of the land authority and the land authority’s operations, including without limitation:

(a) The repayment of any loans to mortgage lenders or mortgage loans;

(b) Any project;

(c) Any bonds of the land authority;

in such amounts and from such insurers, including the Federal Government, as it may deem necessary or desirable and to pay any premiums therefor.

(9) To make rules pursuant to the provisions of chapter 120 necessary to carry out the purposes of this act and to exercise any power granted in this act.

(10) To engage the services of private consultants on a contract basis for rendering professional and technical assistance and advice.

(11) To make and execute agreements, contracts, and other instruments necessary or convenient in the exercise of the powers and functions of the land authority under this act, including contracts with any person, firm, corporation, local government, or other entity; and all local governments established under the laws of the state are hereby authorized to enter into and do all things necessary to perform such contracts and otherwise cooperate with the land authority to facilitate the accomplishment of the purposes of this act.

(12) To undertake any actions necessary to conduct a feasibility and design study for a solid waste management facility in an area of critical state concern and, if such project is feasible, to carry out such project.

(13) To identify parcels of land within the area or areas of critical state concern that would be appropriate acquisitions by the state from the Conservation and Recreational Lands Trust Fund and recommend such acquisitions to the advisory council established pursuant to s. 259.035 or its successor.

(14) To do any and all things necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of, and exercise the powers given and granted in, this act.

(1) The land authority shall establish an advisory committee which shall make recommendations regarding land acquisition to the land authority in accordance with the criteria set forth in this act. The advisory committee shall be composed of five members appointed by the land authority. The members shall serve 3-year terms, except that the initial terms may be for 1 or 2 years in order for terms to be staggered. The advisory committee shall by resolution recommend acquisitions by presenting the land authority, at the time specified by the land authority, a list of proposed acquisitions in order of recommended priority.

(2) The advisory committee shall prioritize land acquisitions each year according to the following:

(a) Any parcel of undeveloped land for which an option to purchase pursuant to paragraph (b) is given to the land authority prior to January 15, 1987, shall be given priority over all other acquisitions for which no such option is given, with further priority given to parcels of land that would have been developable but for the adoption of the approved comprehensive plan and land development regulations under s. 380.05.

(b) To qualify as an option under paragraph (a), such option shall:

1. Be for a period of at least 1 year.

2. Offer to sell for a net price to the offeror of no more than 115 percent of the property appraiser’s last assessment prior to June 1, 1986, or, alternatively, offer to sell at no more than appraised value if approved by the property appraiser, if the appraiser is selected by the land authority and reimbursed by the offeror.

3. Contain a provision allowing the offeror to retain his or her priority, if the option is not executed within the term of the option, by renewing said option for one or more similar terms.

(3) The land authority shall approve the list of acquisitions, in whole or in part, in the order of priority recommended by the advisory committee. Acquisitions shall be made in the approved order of priority to the greatest extent possible.

History.—s. 1, ch. 86-170; s. 6, ch. 88-164; s. 644, ch. 95-148.

380.0668 Bonds; purpose, terms, approval, limitations.—

(1) The issuance of revenue bonds to provide sufficient funds to achieve the purposes of this act; pay interest on bonds; pay expenses incident to the issuance and sale of any bond issued pursuant to this act, including costs of validating, printing, and delivering the bonds, printing the official statement, publishing notices of sale of the bonds, and related administrative expenses; and pay all other capital expenditures of the land authority incident to and necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes and powers granted by this act is authorized, subject and pursuant to the provisions of the State Constitution and the applicable provisions of this act and of the State Bond Act. Revenue bonds issued pursuant to this act shall be payable solely from pledged revenues.

(2) All such bonds shall be issued on behalf of the land authority and in the name of the land authority by the Division of Bond Finance from time to time, as provided by the State Bond Act, with a term of not more than 45 years and, except as otherwise provided herein, in such principal amounts as shall be necessary to provide sufficient funds to achieve the purposes of the land authority in carrying out this act and purposes incident thereto.

(3) There shall be established a debt service reserve account in an amount at least equal to the greatest amount of principal and interest to become due on such issue in any ensuing state fiscal year or an amount at least equal to an average of the annual principal and interest, all as may be determined by the Division of Bond Finance; except that a reserve of a lesser amount may be established if the land authority, with the concurrence of the Division of Bond Finance, determines that such reserve, if any, will adequately protect the interests of bondholders. The land authority, with the concurrence of the division, is authorized to provide the use of an insurance policy or letter of credit in lieu of a debt service reserve account.

(4)(a) The provisions of the State Bond Act, including, without limitation, the definitions contained therein, shall be applicable to all bonds issued pursuant to this act, when not in conflict with the provisions hereof; however, the basis of award of sale of such bonds may be either the net interest cost or the true or effective interest cost, as set forth in the resolution authorizing the sale of such bonds. In cases of conflict, the provisions of this act shall be controlling. Solely for purposes of the State Bond Act, a land authority shall be defined as a state agency.

(b) In actions to validate such bonds pursuant to chapter 75, the complaint shall be filed in the Circuit Court of Leon County, the notice required by s. 75.06 shall be published in newspapers of general circulation in Leon County and the county in which the area or areas of critical state concern involved are located, and the complaint and order of the court shall be served on the state attorney of the Second Judicial Circuit and the circuit in which the area or areas of critical state concern involved are located.

(5) Any resolution or resolutions authorizing any bonds issued on behalf of the land authority may contain provisions, without limitation, which shall be a part of the contract or contracts with the holders thereof, as to:

(a) Pledging all or any part of the income or revenues of the land authority to secure the payment of bonds or of any issue thereof, subject to such agreements with holders of bonds as may then exist.

(b) Pledging all or any part of the income or revenues generated by a solid waste management facility to secure the payment of bonds or of any issue thereof, subject to such agreements with holders of bonds as may then exist.

(c) The procedure, if any, by which the terms of any contract with holders of bonds may be amended or abrogated, the amount of bonds the holders of which must consent thereto, and the manner in which such consent may be given.

(d) Vesting in a trustee or trustees such property, rights, powers, and duties in trust as the resolution may determine, which may include any or all of the rights, powers, and duties of the trustee appointed by the holders of bonds pursuant to this act, and limiting or abrogating the right of holders of bonds to appoint a trustee under this act or limiting the rights, powers, and duties of such trustee.

(e) Defining the acts or omissions to act which shall constitute a default in the obligations and duties of the land authority to the holders of bonds in providing for the rights and remedies of holders of bonds in the event of such default, including, as a matter of right, the appointment of a receiver; provided such rights and remedies shall not be inconsistent with the general laws of the state and the other provisions of this act.

(f) Any other matters of like or different character which in any way affect the security or protection of holders of bonds.

(6)(a) The bonds issued on behalf of the land authority shall be sold at public sale in the manner provided by the State Bond Act. However, if the division shall by resolution determine that a negotiated sale of the bonds is in the best interest of the land authority, the division may negotiate for sale of the bonds with the underwriter or underwriters designated by the division. In the resolution authorizing the negotiated sale, the division shall provide specific findings as to the reasons for the negotiated sale. The reasons shall include, but shall not be limited to, characteristics of the bond issue and prevailing market conditions that necessitate a negotiated sale. In the event the division decides to negotiate for a sale of bonds, the managing underwriter, or financial consultant or adviser, if applicable, shall provide to the land authority or division, prior to the award of bonds to the managing underwriter, a disclosure statement containing the following information:

1. An itemized list setting forth the nature and estimated amounts of expenses to be incurred by the managing underwriter in connection with the issuance of such bonds. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such list may include an item for miscellaneous expenses, provided it includes only minor items of expense which cannot be easily categorized elsewhere in the statement.

2. The names, addresses, and estimated amounts of compensation of any finders connected with the issuance of the bonds.

3. The amount of underwriting spread expected to be realized.

4. Any management fee charged by the managing underwriter.

5. Any other fee, bonus, or compensation estimated to be paid by the managing underwriter in connection with the bond issue to any person not regularly employed or retained by it.

6. The name and address of the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, connected with the bond issue.

7. Any other disclosure which the division may require.

This paragraph is not intended to restrict or prohibit the employment of professional services relating to bonds issued under this act or the issuance of bonds by the division under any other law. This paragraph shall not prohibit the use of private placement bonds.

(b) In the event an offer of an issue of bonds at public sale produces no bid, or in the event all bids received are rejected, the division is authorized to negotiate for the sale of the bonds under such rates and terms as are acceptable; however, no bonds shall be so sold or delivered on terms less favorable than the terms contained in any bids rejected at the public sale thereof or, if no bids were received at such public sale, the terms contained in the notice of public sale.

(c) The failure of the land authority or division to comply with one or more provisions of this section shall not affect the validity of the bond issue; however, upon such failure to comply, the division shall sell all future bonds only at public sale as provided for herein, except as provided in paragraph (b).

(7)(a) No underwriter, commercial bank, investment banker, or financial consultant or adviser shall pay any finder any bonus, fee, or gratuity in connection with the sale of bonds or revenue bonds issued by the division unless full disclosure is made to the division prior to or concurrently with the submission of a purchase proposal for bonds by the underwriter, commercial bank, investment banker, or financial consultant or adviser and is made subsequently in the official statement or offering circular, if any, detailing the name and address of any finder and the amount of bonus, fee, or gratuity paid to such finder.

(b) The willful violation of this subsection is a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(c) No violation of this subsection shall affect the validity of the bond issue.

(8) As used in this section, the term “finder” means a person who is neither regularly employed by, nor a partner or officer of, an underwriter, bank, banker, or financial consultant or adviser and who enters into an understanding with either the issuer or the managing underwriter, or both, for any paid or promised compensation or valuable consideration, directly or indirectly, expressly or impliedly, to act solely as an intermediary between such issuer and managing underwriter for the purpose of influencing any transaction in the purchase of such bonds.

(9) All bonds issued on behalf of the land authority shall state on the face thereof that they are payable, both as to principal and interest, solely out of the pledged revenues of the land authority and do not constitute an obligation, either general or special, of the state or of any local government.

(10) All bonds issued on behalf of the land authority are hereby declared to have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the applicable laws of the state.

(11) It is the intent of the Legislature that any pledge of earnings, revenues, or other moneys made by the land authority shall be valid and binding from the time when the pledge is made; that the earnings, revenues, or other moneys so pledged and thereafter received by the land authority shall immediately be subject to the lien of that pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act; and that the lien of the pledge shall be valid and binding as against the land authority irrespective of whether the parties have notice thereof. Neither the resolution nor any other instrument by which a pledge is created need be recorded or filed pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code.

(12) Neither the members or the employees of the land authority or the division nor any person executing the bonds of the land authority shall be liable personally on the bonds or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance thereof.

History.—s. 1, ch. 86-170; s. 7, ch. 88-164.

380.0669 State and local government liability on bonds.—The bonds of the land authority shall not be a debt of the state or of any local government other than the land authority, and neither the state nor any local government other than the land authority shall be liable thereon. Except for revenues specifically designated by this act for use by the land authority, the land authority shall not have the power to pledge the credit, the revenues, or the taxing power of the state or of any local government; and except as provided in this act neither the credit, the revenues, nor the taxing power of the state or of any local government shall be, or shall be deemed to be, pledged to the payment of any bonds of the land authority.

History.—s. 1, ch. 86-170; s. 8, ch. 88-164.

380.0671 Annual report.—The land authority shall submit to the Governor and the presiding officers of each house of the Legislature, within 6 months after the end of its fiscal year, a complete and detailed report setting forth:

(1) Its operations and accomplishments.

(2) Its receipts and expenditures during the fiscal year in accordance with the categories or classifications established by the land authority for its operating and capital outlay purposes.

(3) Its assets and liabilities at the end of its fiscal year and the status of reserve, special, or other funds.

(4) A schedule of its bonds outstanding at the end of its fiscal year, together with a statement of the principal amounts of bonds issued and redeemed during the fiscal year.

History.—s. 1, ch. 86-170.

380.0672 Conflicts of interest.—

(1) Nothing in this section shall be deemed or construed to limit the right of any member, officer, or employee of the land authority to acquire an interest in bonds of the land authority or have an interest in any banking institution in which the bonds of the land authority are, or are to be, deposited or which is, or is to be, acting as trustee or paying agent under any bond resolution, trust indenture, or similar instrument to which the land authority is a party.

(2) Under no circumstances shall a financial adviser for bonds of the land authority serve as an underwriter for the land authority’s bonds within 2 years of having been such a financial adviser for such bonds.

History.—s. 1, ch. 86-170.

380.0673 Exemption from taxes and eligibility as investment.—

(1) The property of the land authority and the transactions and operations thereof and the income therefrom shall be exempt from taxation by the state and its political subdivisions. The exemption granted by this subsection shall not apply to any tax imposed by chapter 220 on interest, income, or profits on debt obligations owned by corporations.

(2) All bonds of the land authority shall be and constitute legal investments without limitation for all public bodies of this state; for all banks, trust companies, savings banks, savings associations, savings and loan associations, and investment companies; for all administrators, executors, trustees, and other fiduciaries; for all insurance companies and associations and other persons carrying on an insurance business; and for all other persons whatsoever who are now or may hereafter be authorized to invest in bonds or other obligations of the state and shall be and constitute eligible securities to be deposited as collateral for the security of any state, county, municipal, or other public funds. This subsection shall be considered as additional and supplemental authority and shall not be limited without specific reference hereto.

History.—s. 1, ch. 86-170; s. 54, ch. 89-356.

380.0674 Corporate existence.—

(1) The land authority and its corporate existence shall continue until terminated by law or action of the governing board of the county that established it; however, no such law or action shall take effect so long as the land authority shall have bonds outstanding unless adequate provision has been made for the payment thereof. Upon termination of the existence of the land authority, all its rights and properties in excess of its obligations shall pass to and be vested in the state.

(2) A land authority created by a county in which one or more areas have been designated as an area of critical state concern for at least 20 consecutive years prior to removal of the designation shall continue to exist and exercise all powers granted by this chapter until terminated by law or action of the governing board pursuant to subsection (1).

History.—s. 1, ch. 86-170; s. 5, ch. 2006-223.

380.0675 Inconsistent provisions of other laws superseded.—Insofar as the provisions of this act are inconsistent with the provisions of any other law, general, special, or local, the provisions of this act shall be controlling.

History.—s. 1, ch. 86-170.

1380.0677 Green Swamp Land Authority.—

(1) CREATION.—There is hereby created the Green Swamp Land Authority.

(2) MISSION.—The mission of the Green Swamp Land Authority shall be to balance the protection of the ecological values of the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern with the protection of private property rights and the interests of taxpayers through the acquisition of lands, or rights or interests in lands, from willing sellers within the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern. To that end, the authority is encouraged to coordinate with the Division of State Lands of the Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Communities Trust Program within the Department of Community Affairs, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and the St. Johns River Water Management District to identify, select, and acquire less-than-fee-simple interests or rights in parcels within the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern, as part of overall land acquisition efforts by the state and the districts. When the Department of Environmental Protection and the water management districts are planning to acquire parcels within the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern, they shall consider acquiring such parcels using alternatives to fee simple techniques in consultation with the land authority.

(3) APPLICATION FOR LAND PROTECTION AGREEMENT; LIST OF PROPOSED ACQUISITIONS.—Owners of agricultural and other property within the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern shall have 3 years from the effective date of the land authority’s rules to apply to the land authority concerning their interest in signing a land protection agreement restricting some or all of their rights to their land. A land protection agreement is a voluntarily negotiated instrument which may provide compensation to a landowner in return for the willingness of the landowner to accept restrictions or conditions on the use of the parcel of land, including the right to develop the land as defined in s. 380.04. The agreement shall include provisions for compliance and shall be recorded and indexed in the same manner as any other instrument affecting the title to real property. A land protection agreement signed by the fee simple owner does not confer with it the right of public access to the real property, unless public access is a right specified within the agreement. Selected applicants’ properties shall be ranked on the authority’s list of proposed acquisitions. Work shall continue on listed projects for which acquisition has begun but not closed within the 3-year period, until the acquisition is successfully completed. During the time the property remains on the authority’s list of proposed acquisitions, and for 2 years thereafter, the property owner may not change the current use of the property.

(4) SELECTION; CRITERIA.—The authority shall develop a procedure for competitive selection of properties appropriate for land protection agreements. Selection criteria shall be based primarily on the water resource and ecological and environmental resource values of the parcels. Other factors may include the threat of impending development, and the historical significance of the property, or other factors determined to be relevant by the authority. Land protection agreements shall be voluntary. The price paid for restricting the rights or interests in land shall not exceed the appraised value of those rights or interests. The selected properties shall constitute a list of proposed acquisitions, to be updated annually.

(5) PROGRAM; CONSIDERATION.—The authority, with the assistance of the Southwest Florida and St. Johns River Water Management Districts, shall develop a land protection agreement program, including procedures for selecting, valuing, and monitoring to ensure compliance with the purposes of this section within the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern. The Southwest Florida and St. Johns River Water Management Districts may act as the acquisition agents for the land authority, and title to the lands, or interests or rights in lands, shall vest in the district where the acquisition project is located. Among the procedures shall be a process for determining the amount of consideration that may be paid for the willingness of a property owner to accept restrictions or conditions according to the terms of a land protection agreement. The authority shall make rules necessary to carry out this section. To encourage participation in the land protection agreement program and to create a sense of fairness, the land authority is directed in making rules to reflect changes in land values as a result of the designation of the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern and implementation of Polk and Lake Counties’ comprehensive plans. Such rules shall be reviewed by the Southwest Florida and St. Johns River Water Management Districts.

(6) APPROPRIATIONS.—From funds appropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection for land acquisition from the Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund for fiscal years 1994-1995, 1995-1996, and 1996-1997, $4 million shall be reserved each fiscal year to carry out the purposes of this section. To the extent practicable, moneys appropriated from the Conservation and Recreation Lands Trust Fund, Save Our Rivers Trust Fund, and Florida Communities Trust Fund shall be used to acquire lands, or interests or rights in lands, on the Conservation and Recreation Lands, Save Our Rivers, or Florida Communities Trust land acquisition plans or lists, as defined in s. 259.035, or a land acquisition plan under s. 373.59 or s. 380.508. However, nothing in this subsection prohibits the Green Swamp Land Authority from entering into land protection agreements with any property owner whose property is not on any of such lists. From sums appropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection from the Water Management District Lands Trust Fund for fiscal years 1994-1995, 1995-1996, and 1996-1997, $3 million shall be reserved each fiscal year to carry out the purposes of this section. Such amounts as are used from the Water Management District Lands Trust Fund shall be credited against the allocations as provided in s. 373.59 to the St. Johns River Water Management District or the Southwest Florida Water Management District in proportion to the amount of lands for which an interest was acquired, and shall not be required by a district for debt service payments or land management purposes. From funds appropriated to the Department of Community Affairs for the Florida Communities Trust Program from the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund for fiscal years 1994-1995 through 1999-2000, $3 million shall be reserved each fiscal year to carry out the purposes of this section. Appropriations identified pursuant to this subsection shall fund the acquisition of lands, or the interests or rights in lands, and related costs of acquisition. Such funds shall be available for expenditure after the land authority has adopted rules to begin its program. Funds reserved pursuant to this subsection, for each of the referenced fiscal years, shall remain available for the purposes specified in this subsection for 24 months from the date on which such funds become available for disbursement. After such time has elapsed, any funds which are not legally obligated for expenditure shall be released for the lawful purposes for which they were otherwise appropriated.

(7) OWNERSHIP RIGHTS AND INTERESTS.—Ownership of any rights or interests which are conveyed through a land protection agreement shall vest in the Southwest Florida Water Management District or the St. Johns River Water Management District, based on where the acquisition project is located. The districts shall monitor the agreements under their respective jurisdictions to ensure compliance with the terms of the agreements, and shall provide the county property appraiser, the county tax collector, and the county manager with copies of land protection agreements that specify the deed restrictions on lands.

(8) USE OF PROPERTY AGREEMENT.—A private property owner who enters into a land protection agreement may use the property in any manner consistent with the terms of the agreement. A land protection agreement which limits the use of property to agriculture shall allow the owner to change from one agricultural activity to another unless otherwise prohibited by the provisions of the agreement. Unless otherwise stated, agreements shall not prohibit the construction or operation of: barns or other buildings necessary to agricultural activities, such as employment housing; hunting and fishing camps; or a specified number of single-family residences solely for the use of the property owner or the owner’s family.

(9) TERMINATION OF LAND PROTECTION AGREEMENTS.—A fee simple owner of lands subject to a land protection agreement may petition the governing board of the water management district which holds title to the interests or rights in those lands to terminate the agreement. If the district finds that ownership of a parcel of land or interests or rights in a parcel of land acquired pursuant to this section is no longer needed to protect the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern, the district may dispose of the land, or interests or rights in the land, according to procedures adopted pursuant to s. 373.089.

(10) PROPERTY RIGHTS PROTECTED.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate the constitutionally protected property rights of private property owners within the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern, whether or not they choose to participate in the Green Swamp Land Authority’s acquisition program.

1Note.—Section 51, ch. 99-247, provided for deletion of the provision setting out the membership of the Green Swamp Land Authority and that “[h]enceforth, the Green Swamp Land Authority shall mean the Department of Environmental Protection for purposes of [s. 380.0677] and statutes related thereto.”

380.0685 State park in area of critical state concern in county which creates land authority; surcharge on admission and overnight occupancy.—The Department of Environmental Protection shall impose and collect a surcharge of 50 cents per person per day, or $5 per annual family auto entrance permit, on admission to all state parks in areas of critical state concern located in a county which creates a land authority pursuant to s. 380.0663(1), and a surcharge of $2.50 per night per campsite, cabin, or other overnight recreational occupancy unit in state parks in areas of critical state concern located in a county which creates a land authority pursuant to s. 380.0663(1); however, no surcharge shall be imposed or collected under this section for overnight use by nonprofit groups of organized group camps, primitive camping areas, or other facilities intended primarily for organized group use. Such surcharges shall be imposed within 90 days after any county creating a land authority notifies the Department of Environmental Protection that the land authority has been created. The proceeds from such surcharges, less a collection fee that shall be kept by the Department of Environmental Protection for the actual cost of collection, not to exceed 2 percent, shall be transmitted to the land authority of the county from which the revenue was generated. Such funds shall be used to purchase property in the area or areas of critical state concern in the county from which the revenue was generated. An amount not to exceed 10 percent may be used for administration and other costs incident to such purchases. However, the proceeds of the surcharges imposed and collected pursuant to this section in a state park or parks located wholly within a municipality, less the costs of collection as provided herein, shall be transmitted to that municipality. The surcharges levied under this section shall remain imposed as long as the land authority is in existence.

History.—s. 3, ch. 86-170; s. 9, ch. 88-164; s. 348, ch. 94-356.

380.07 Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission.—

(1) There is hereby created the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission, which shall consist of the Administration Commission. The commission may adopt rules necessary to ensure compliance with the area of critical state concern program and the requirements for developments of regional impact as set forth in this chapter.

(2) Whenever any local government issues any development order in any area of critical state concern, or in regard to any development of regional impact, copies of such orders as prescribed by rule by the state land planning agency shall be transmitted to the state land planning agency, the regional planning agency, and the owner or developer of the property affected by such order. The state land planning agency shall adopt rules describing development order rendition and effectiveness in designated areas of critical state concern. Within 45 days after the order is rendered, the owner, the developer, or the state land planning agency may appeal the order to the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission by filing a petition alleging that the development order is not consistent with the provisions of this part. The appropriate regional planning agency by vote at a regularly scheduled meeting may recommend that the state land planning agency undertake an appeal of a development-of-regional-impact development order. Upon the request of an appropriate regional planning council, affected local government, or any citizen, the state land planning agency shall consider whether to appeal the order and shall respond to the request within the 45-day appeal period.

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an appeal of a development order by the state land planning agency under this section may include consistency of the development order with the local comprehensive plan. However, if a development order relating to a development of regional impact has been challenged in a proceeding under s. 163.3215 and a party to the proceeding serves notice to the state land planning agency of the pending proceeding under s. 163.3215, the state land planning agency shall:

(a) Raise its consistency issues by intervening as a full party in the pending proceeding under s. 163.3215 within 30 days after service of the notice; and

(b) Dismiss the consistency issues from the development order appeal.

(4) The appellant shall furnish a copy of the petition to the opposing party, as the case may be, and to the local government that issued the order. The filing of the petition stays the effectiveness of the order until after the completion of the appeal process.

(5) The 45-day appeal period for a development of regional impact within the jurisdiction of more than one local government shall not commence until after all the local governments having jurisdiction over the proposed development of regional impact have rendered their development orders. The appellant shall furnish a copy of the notice of appeal to the opposing party, as the case may be, and to the local government which issued the order. The filing of the notice of appeal shall stay the effectiveness of the order until after the completion of the appeal process.

(6) Prior to issuing an order, the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission shall hold a hearing pursuant to the provisions of chapter 120. The commission shall encourage the submission of appeals on the record made below in cases in which the development order was issued after a full and complete hearing before the local government or an agency thereof.

(7) The Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission shall issue a decision granting or denying permission to develop pursuant to the standards of this chapter and may attach conditions and restrictions to its decisions.

(8) If an appeal is filed with respect to any issues within the scope of a permitting program authorized by chapter 161, chapter 373, or chapter 403 and for which a permit or conceptual review approval has been obtained prior to the issuance of a development order, any such issue shall be specifically identified in the notice of appeal which is filed pursuant to this section, together with other issues which constitute grounds for the appeal. The appeal may proceed with respect to issues within the scope of permitting programs for which a permit or conceptual review approval has been obtained prior to the issuance of a development order only after the commission determines by majority vote at a regularly scheduled commission meeting that statewide or regional interests may be adversely affected by the development. In making this determination, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that statewide and regional interests relating to issues within the scope of the permitting programs for which a permit or conceptual approval has been obtained are not adversely affected.

(1) Nothing in this chapter authorizes any governmental agency to adopt a rule or regulation or issue any order that is unduly restrictive or constitutes a taking of property without the payment of full compensation, in violation of the constitutions of this state or of the United States.

(2) If any governmental agency authorized to adopt a rule or regulation or issue any order under this chapter determines that, to achieve the purposes of this chapter, it is in the public interest to acquire the fee simple or lesser interest in any parcel of land, such agency shall so certify to the state land planning agency, the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, and other appropriate governmental agencies. Prior to such agency’s acquiring such land, the seller of the land shall file a statement with the department disclosing, for at least the last 5 years prior to the conveyance of title to the state, all financial transactions concerning the land and all parties having a financial interest in any transaction.

(3) If any governmental agency denies a development permit under this chapter, it shall specify its reasons in writing and indicate any changes in the development proposal that would make it eligible to receive the permit.

(2) Any person substantially affected by a final action of any agency with respect to a permit may seek review within 90 days of the rendering of such decision and request monetary damages and other relief in the circuit court in the judicial circuit in which the affected property is located; however, circuit court review shall be confined solely to determining whether final agency action is an unreasonable exercise of the state’s police power constituting a taking without just compensation. Review of final agency action for the purpose of determining whether the action is in accordance with existing statutes or rules and based on competent substantial evidence shall proceed in accordance with chapter 120.

(3) If the court determines the decision reviewed is an unreasonable exercise of the state’s police power constituting a taking without just compensation, the court shall remand the matter to the agency which shall, within a reasonable time:

(a) Agree to issue the permit;

(b) Agree to pay appropriate monetary damages; however, in determining the amount of compensation to be paid, consideration shall be given by the court to any enhancement to the value of the land attributable to governmental action; or

(c) Agree to modify its decision to avoid an unreasonable exercise of police power.

(4) The agency shall submit a statement of its agreed-upon action to the court in the form of a proposed order. If the action is a reasonable exercise of police power, the court shall enter its final order approving the proposed order. If the agency fails to submit a proposed order within a reasonable time not to exceed 90 days which specifies an action that is a reasonable exercise of police power, the court may order the agency to perform any of the alternatives specified in subsection (3).

(6) The provisions of this section are cumulative and shall not be deemed to abrogate any other remedies provided by law.

History.—ss. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ch. 78-85.

380.11 Enforcement; procedures; remedies.—

(1) JUDICIAL REMEDIES.—

(a) The state land planning agency, a state attorney, a county, and a municipality are each authorized to bring an action for injunctive relief, both temporary and permanent, against any person or developer found to be in violation of the provisions of this part or any rules, regulations, or orders issued thereunder.

(b) It shall not be a defense to, or ground for dismissal of, an action for injunctive relief brought by the state land planning agency that it has failed to exhaust its administrative remedies.

(2) ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES.—

(a) If the state land planning agency has reason to believe a violation of this part or any rule, development order, or other order issued hereunder or of any agreement entered into under s. 380.032(3) or s. 380.06(8) has occurred or is about to occur, it may institute an administrative proceeding pursuant to this section to prevent, abate, or control the conditions or activity creating the violation.

(b) An administrative proceeding shall be instituted by service by the state land planning agency of a written notice of violation upon the alleged violator, by certified mail. The notice shall specify the law, rule, development order, or other order alleged to be violated and the facts alleged to constitute a violation. An order directing cessation or prevention of the conditions or action that caused the notice of violation to be served may be included with the notice. However, no order served with the notice of violation is final and effective until 20 days after the date of service or until the conclusion of a properly requested administrative hearing. A request for an administrative hearing shall be in writing and shall be filed with the clerk of the state land planning agency within 20 days after the date of service of the notice upon the alleged violator. The failure to request an administrative hearing within the 20-day period constitutes a waiver thereof, and the notice of violation and any accompanying corrective order shall become final agency action. The state land planning agency may seek enforcement of its final agency action in accordance with s. 120.69 or by written agreement entered into with the alleged violator pursuant to s. 380.032(3).

(c) The state land planning agency may institute an administrative proceeding against any developer or responsible party pertaining to any area of critical state concern designated in s. 380.05, s. 380.055, s. 380.0551, or s. 380.0552:

1. To enjoin development activity if the damage or injury is caused by the development activity or by a violation of s. 380.05, s. 380.055, s. 380.0551, s. 380.0552, a rule of any governmental agency, or a development order.

2. To require the responsible party to replace or restore a deteriorated, damaged, injured, or otherwise significantly impacted natural, historical, or archaeological resource, major public facility, or area of major public investment if the damage or injury is caused by the development activity or by a violation of s. 380.05, s. 380.055, s. 380.0551, s. 380.0552, a rule of any governmental agency, or a development order.

3. To require the governmental agency to properly administer critical area regulations.

(d) The state land planning agency may institute an administrative proceeding against any developer or responsible party to obtain compliance with s. 380.06 and binding letters, agreements, rules, orders, or development orders issued pursuant to s. 380.032(3), s. 380.05, s. 380.06, or s. 380.07. The state land planning agency may seek enforcement of its final agency action in accordance with s. 120.69 or by written agreement with the alleged violator pursuant to s. 380.032(3).

(1) A change in a development-of-regional-impact guideline and standard does not abridge or modify any vested or other right or any duty or obligation pursuant to any development order or agreement that is applicable to a development of regional impact. A development that has received a development-of-regional-impact development order pursuant to s. 380.06, but is no longer required to undergo development-of-regional-impact review by operation of a change in the guidelines and standards or has reduced its size below the thresholds in s. 380.0651, shall be governed by the following procedures:

(a) The development shall continue to be governed by the development-of-regional-impact development order and may be completed in reliance upon and pursuant to the development order unless the developer or landowner has followed the procedures for rescission in paragraph (b). Any proposed changes to those developments which continue to be governed by a development order shall be approved pursuant to s. 380.06(19) as it existed prior to a change in the development-of-regional-impact guidelines and standards, except that all percentage criteria shall be doubled and all other criteria shall be increased by 10 percent. The development-of-regional-impact development order may be enforced by the local government as provided by ss. 380.06(17) and 380.11.

(b) If requested by the developer or landowner, the development-of-regional-impact development order shall be rescinded by the local government having jurisdiction upon a showing that all required mitigation related to the amount of development that existed on the date of rescission has been completed.

(2) A development with an application for development approval pending, pursuant to s. 380.06, on the effective date of a change to the guidelines and standards, or a notification of proposed change pending on the effective date of a change to the guidelines and standards, may elect to continue such review pursuant to s. 380.06. At the conclusion of the pending review, including any appeals pursuant to s. 380.07, the resulting development order shall be governed by the provisions of subsection (1).

(3) A landowner that has filed an application for a development-of-regional-impact review prior to the adoption of an optional sector plan pursuant to s. 163.3245 may elect to have the application reviewed pursuant to s. 380.06, comprehensive plan provisions in force prior to adoption of the sector plan, and any requested comprehensive plan amendments that accompany the application.

(2) “Coastal zone” means that area of land and water from the territorial limits seaward to the most inland extent of marine influences. However, for planning and developing coordinated projects and initiatives for coastal resource protection and management, the department shall consider the coastal zone to be the geographical area encompassed by the 35 Florida coastal counties listed in the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Florida Coastal Management Program and the adjoining territorial sea. It is not the intent of this definition to limit the authority currently exercised under the federal law and the federally approved Florida Coastal Management Program by which projects landward and seaward of the 35 coastal counties are reviewed for consistency with the Florida Coastal Management Program.

(a) The coast is rich in a variety of natural, commercial, recreational, ecological, industrial, and aesthetic resources, including, but not limited to, “energy facilities,” as that term is defined in s. 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act, of immediate potential value to the present and future well-being of the residents of this state.

(b) It is in the state and national interest to protect, maintain, and develop these resources through coordinated management.

(c) State land and water management policies should, to the maximum possible extent, be implemented by local governments through existing processes for the guidance of growth and development.

(2) The Legislature therefore grants authorization for the department to maintain and update a program based on existing statutes and existing rules and submit applications to the appropriate federal agency as a basis for receiving funds under the Coastal Zone Management Act. It is the further intent of the Legislature that enactment of this legislation shall not amend existing statutes or provide additional regulatory authority to any governmental body except as otherwise provided by s. 380.23. The enactment of this legislation shall not in any other way affect any existing statutory or regulatory authority.

(3)(a) The Legislature finds that the coastal zone is rich in a variety of natural, commercial, recreational, ecological, industrial, and aesthetic resources of immediate and potential value to the present and future well-being of the residents of this state which will be irretrievably lost or damaged if not properly managed. The participation by citizens of the state is an important factor in developing, adopting, amending, and implementing a program for management of the coastal zone, and management of the state’s coastal zone requires a highly coordinated effort among state, regional, and local officials and agencies.

(b) The state coastal zone management program shall contain each of the program elements necessary to comply with the requirements of the Coastal Zone Management Act, specifically delineating the role of state, regional, and local agencies in implementing the program; and it shall provide that the appeal of any regulatory decision, other than those appeals provided for by existing law, shall be to the Governor and Cabinet.

(4) The Legislature recognizes that land acquisition has great potential to support the state’s coastal management and regulatory efforts. Removing coastal properties from the pool of developable acreage reduces the adverse land use and environmental impacts the state coastal zone management program is attempting to eliminate or diminish, while at the same time minimizing public expenditures and reducing risk to life and property in storm-prone coastal areas. To this end, the acquisition of coastal lands shall be an important component of the coastal zone management program.

(1) The department shall be the lead agency pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act and shall compile and submit to the appropriate federal agency applications to receive funds pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act. The state’s program shall include program policies that only reference existing statutes and existing implementing administrative rules. In the event the program submitted pursuant to this subsection is rejected by the appropriate federal agency because of failure of this act, the existing statutes, or the existing implementing administrative rules to comply with the requirements of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, no state coastal management program shall become effective without prior legislative approval. The coastal management program may be amended from time to time to include changes in statutes and rules adopted pursuant to statutory authority other than this act.

(b) Coordinate central files and clearinghouse procedures for coastal resource data information and encourage the use of compatible information and standards.

(c) Provide to the extent practicable financial, technical, research, and legal assistance to effectuate the purposes of this act.

(d) Review rules of other affected agencies to determine consistency with the program and to report any inconsistencies to the Legislature.

(3) The department shall adopt by rule procedures and criteria for the evaluation of subgrant applications that seek to receive a portion of those funds allotted to the state under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act.

(4) The department shall establish a county-based process for identifying, and setting priorities for acquiring, coastal properties in coordination with the Acquisition and Restoration Council, or its successor, so these properties may be acquired as part of the state’s land acquisition programs. This process shall include the establishment of criteria for prioritizing coastal acquisitions which, in addition to recognizing pristine coastal properties and coastal properties of significant or important environmental sensitivity, recognize hazard mitigation, beach access, beach management, urban recreation, and other policies necessary for effective coastal management.

(5) In addition to other criteria established by statute or rule, the following criteria shall be considered when establishing priorities for public acquisition of coastal property:

(a) The value of acquiring coastal high-hazard parcels, consistent with hazard mitigation and postdisaster redevelopment policies, in order to minimize the risk to life and property and to reduce the need for future disaster assistance.

(b) The value of acquiring beachfront parcels, irrespective of size, to provide public access and recreational opportunities in highly developed urban areas.

(c) The value of acquiring identified parcels the development of which would adversely affect coastal resources.

(6) The department shall develop and implement a strategy to enhance citizen awareness and involvement in Florida’s coastal management programs.

(1) When a federally licensed or permitted activity subject to federal consistency review requires a state license, the issuance or renewal of a state license shall automatically constitute the state’s concurrence that the licensed activity or use, as licensed, is consistent with the federally approved program. When a federally licensed or permitted activity subject to federal consistency review requires a state license, the denial of a state license shall automatically constitute the state’s finding that the proposed activity or use is not consistent with the state’s federally approved program, unless the United States Secretary of Commerce determines that such activity or use is in the national interest as provided in the Coastal Zone Management Act.

(2)(a) Where federal licenses, permits, activities, and projects listed in subsection (3) are subject to federal consistency review and are seaward of the jurisdiction of the state, or there is no state agency with sole jurisdiction, the department shall be responsible for the consistency review and determination; however, the department shall not make a determination that the license, permit, activity, or project is consistent if any other state agency with significant analogous responsibility makes a determination of inconsistency. All decisions and determinations under this subsection shall be appealable to the Governor and Cabinet.

(b) However, effective October 1, 1992, if a finding or recommendation of inconsistency has been made by a state agency with regard to federal activities and projects listed under paragraphs (3)(a) and (b) and the inconsistency cannot be resolved by the department, the department shall refer such finding or recommendation to the Governor for final determination. The Governor shall review the comments, findings, or recommendations of all participating agencies and shall affirm the finding or recommendation of inconsistency unless the Governor determines that the federal activity or project is consistent with the enforceable social, economic, and environmental policies of the coastal management program. Any permitting, licensing, or proprietary authority of an agency shall not be preempted or otherwise limited by any provision of this paragraph. Consistency determinations made pursuant to this paragraph shall not be appealable to the Governor or Cabinet.

(3) Consistency review shall be limited to review of the following activities, uses, and projects to ensure that such activities, uses, and projects are conducted in accordance with the state’s coastal management program:

(a) Federal development projects and activities of federal agencies which significantly affect coastal waters and the adjacent shorelands of the state.

(b) Federal assistance projects that significantly affect coastal waters and the adjacent shorelands of the state and that are reviewed as part of the review process developed pursuant to Presidential Executive Order 12372.

(c) Federally licensed or permitted activities affecting land or water uses when such activities are in or seaward of the jurisdiction of local governments required to develop a coastal zone protection element as provided in s. 380.24 and when such activities involve:

2. Permits and licenses required under the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, 33 U.S.C. ss. 1401-1445 and 16 U.S.C. ss. 1431-1445, as amended.

3. Permits and licenses required under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, 33 U.S.C. ss. 1251 et seq., as amended, unless such permitting activities have been delegated to the state pursuant to said act.

4. Permits and licenses relating to the transportation of hazardous substance materials or transportation and dumping which are issued pursuant to the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. ss. 1501 et seq., as amended, or 33 U.S.C. s. 1321, as amended.

6. Permits and licenses required for the siting and construction of any new electrical power plants as defined in s. 403.503(14), as amended, and the licensing and relicensing of hydroelectric power plants under the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. ss. 791a et seq., as amended.

10. Permits required for the taking of marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, 16 U.S.C. s. 1374.

(d) Federal activities within the territorial limits of neighboring states when the Governor and the department determine that significant individual or cumulative impact to the land or water resources of the state would result from the activities.

(4) The department may adopt rules establishing procedures for conducting consistency reviews of activities, uses, and projects for which consistency review is required pursuant to subsections (1), (2), and (3). Such rules shall include procedures for the expeditious handling of emergency repairs to existing facilities for which consistency review is required. The department may also adopt rules prescribing the data and information needed for the review of consistency certifications and determinations. When an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment required by the National Environmental Policy Act has been prepared for a specific activity, use, or project subject to federal consistency review under this section, the environmental impact statement or environmental assessment shall be data and information necessary for the state’s consistency review of that federal activity, use, or project under this section.

(5) In any coastal management program submitted to the appropriate federal agency for its approval pursuant to this act, the department shall specifically waive its right to determine the consistency with the coastal management program of all federally licensed or permitted activities not specifically listed in subsection (3).

(6) Agencies authorized to review and comment on the consistency of federal activities subject to state review under the Florida Coastal Management Program are those agencies charged with the implementation of the statutes and rules included in the federally approved program. Each agency shall be afforded an opportunity to provide the department or the state licensing agency with its comments and determination regarding the consistency of the federal activity with the statutes and rules included in the federally approved program implemented by the agency. An agency that submits a determination of inconsistency to the department or a state licensing agency shall be an indispensable party to any administrative or judicial proceeding in which such determination is an issue, shall be responsible for defending its determination in such proceedings, and shall be liable for any damages, costs, and attorney’s fees awarded in the action as a consequence of such determination.

(7) Agencies shall not review for federal consistency purposes an application for a federally licensed or permitted activity if the activity is vested, exempted, or excepted under its own regulatory authority.

(8) The department shall review the items listed in subsection (3) to determine if in certain circumstances such items would constitute minor permit activities. If the department determines that the list contains minor permit activities, it may by rule establish a program of general concurrence pursuant to federal regulation which shall allow similar minor activities, in the same geographic area, to proceed without prior department review for federal consistency.

380.24 Local government participation.—Units of local government abutting the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean, or which include or are contiguous to waters of the state where marine species of vegetation listed by rule as ratified in s. 373.4211 constitute the dominant plant community, shall develop a coastal zone protection element pursuant to s. 163.3177. Such units of local government shall be eligible to receive technical assistance from the state in preparing coastal zone protection elements and shall be the only units of local government eligible to apply to the department for available financial assistance. Local government participation in the coastal management program authorized by this act shall be voluntary. All permitting and enforcement of dredged-material management and other related activities subject to permit under the provisions of chapters 161 and 253 and part IV of chapter 373 for deepwater ports identified in s. 403.021(9)(b) shall be done through the department consistent with the provisions of s. 403.021(9).

380.25 Previous coastal zone atlases rejected.—The legislative draft of the coastal management program submitted to the Legislature by the department dated March 1, 1978, and the previously prepared coastal zone atlases are expressly rejected as the state’s coastal management program. The department shall not divide areas of the state into vital, conservation, and development areas.

History.—s. 10, ch. 78-287.

380.26 Establishment of coastal building zone for certain counties.—The coastal building zone for counties not subject to s. 161.053 shall be as described in s. 161.54(1), after a public hearing is held in the affected county by the state land planning agency or its designee. The state land planning agency shall furnish the clerk of the circuit court in each county affected a survey of such line with references made to permanently installed monuments at such intervals and locations as may be necessary.

History.—s. 37, ch. 85-55.

380.27 Coastal infrastructure policy.—

(1) No state funds shall be used for the purpose of constructing bridges or causeways to coastal barrier islands, as defined in s. 161.54(2), which are not accessible by bridges or causeways on October 1, 1985.

(2) After a local government has an approved coastal management element pursuant to s. 163.3178, no state funds which are unobligated at the time the element is approved shall be expended for the purpose of planning, designing, excavating for, preparing foundations for, or constructing projects which increase the capacity of infrastructure unless such expenditure is consistent with the approved coastal management element.

(1) It is the intent of the Legislature that a cooperative effort among state agencies and local governments be undertaken to plan for and assist in the display of uniform warning and safety flags, and the placement of uniform notification signs that provide the meaning of such warning and safety flags, at public beaches along the coast of the state. Because the varying natural conditions of Florida’s public beaches and coastal areas pose significant risks to the safety of tourists and the general public, it is important to inform the public of the need to exercise caution.

(2) The Department of Environmental Protection, through the Florida Coastal Management Program, shall direct and coordinate the uniform warning and safety flag program. The purpose of the program shall be to encourage the display of uniform warning and safety flags at public beaches along the coast of the state and to encourage the placement of uniform notification signs that provide the meaning of such flags. Only warning and safety flags developed by the department shall be displayed. Participation in the program shall be open to any government having jurisdiction over a public beach along the coast, whether or not the beach has lifeguards.

(3) The Department of Environmental Protection shall develop a program for the display of uniform warning and safety flags at public beaches along the coast of the state and for the placement of uniform notification signs that provide the meaning of the flags displayed. Such a program shall provide:

(a) For posted notification of the meaning of each of the warning and safety flags at all designated public access points.

(b) That uniform notification signs be posted in a conspicuous location and be clearly legible.

(c) A standard size, shape, color, and definition for each warning and safety flag.

(4) The Department of Environmental Protection is authorized, within the limits of appropriations or grants available to it for such purposes, to establish and operate a program to encourage the display of uniform warning and safety flags at public beaches along the coast of the state and to encourage the placement of uniform notification signs that provide the meaning of the flags displayed. The department shall coordinate the implementation of the uniform warning and safety flag program with local governing bodies and the Florida Beach Patrol Chiefs Association.

(5) The Department of Environmental Protection may adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 necessary to administer this section.

(6) Due to the inherent danger of constantly changing surf and other naturally occurring conditions along Florida’s coast, the state, state agencies, local and regional government entities or authorities, and their individual employees and agents, shall not be held liable for any injury or loss of life caused by changing surf and other naturally occurring conditions along coastal areas, whether or not uniform warning and safety flags or notification signs developed by the department are displayed or posted.

(7) The Department of Environmental Protection, through the Florida Coastal Management Program, may also develop and make available to the public other educational information and materials related to beach safety.

History.—s. 9, ch. 2002-275; s. 1, ch. 2005-161.

1380.285 Lighthouses; study; preservation; funding.—The Department of Community Affairs and the Division of Historical Resources of the Department of State shall undertake a study of the lighthouses in the state. The study must determine the location, ownership, condition, and historical significance of all lighthouses in the state and ensure that all historically significant lighthouses are nominated for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. The study must assess the condition and restoration needs of historic lighthouses and develop plans for appropriate future public access and use. The Division of Historical Resources shall take a leadership role in implementing plans to stabilize lighthouses and associated structures and to preserve and protect them from future deterioration. When possible, the lighthouses and associated buildings should be made available to the public for educational and recreational purposes. The Department of State shall request in its annual legislative budget requests funding necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities specified in this act. Funds for the rehabilitation of lighthouses should be allocated through matching grants-in-aid to state and local government agencies and to nonprofit organizations. The Department of Environmental Protection may assist the Division of Historical Resources in projects to accomplish the goals and activities described in this section.

History.—s. 6, ch. 2001-200; s. 6, ch. 2002-275; s. 3, ch. 2002-277.

1Note.—As amended by s. 6, ch. 2002-275. For a description of multiple acts in the same session affecting a statutory provision, see preface to the Florida Statutes, “Statutory Construction.” Section 380.285 was also amended by s. 3, ch. 2002-277, and that version reads:

380.285 Lighthouses; study; preservation; funding.—

(1) The Coastal Management Program of the Department of Environmental Protection and the Division of Historical Resources of the Department of State shall undertake a study of the lighthouses in the state. The study must determine the location, ownership, condition, and historical significance of all lighthouses in the state and ensure that all historically significant lighthouses are nominated for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. The study must assess the condition and restoration needs of historic lighthouses and develop plans for appropriate future public access and use. The Coastal Management Program and the Division of Historical Resources shall take a leadership role in implementing plans to stabilize lighthouses and associated structures and to preserve and protect them from future deterioration. When possible, the lighthouses and associated buildings should be made available to the public for educational and recreational purposes. The Department of Environmental Protection should consider these responsibilities to be a priority of the Florida Coastal Management Program, and implementation of this act should be a priority in the use of coastal management funds.

(2) The Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of State shall request in their annual legislative budget requests funding necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities specified in this act. Funds for the rehabilitation of lighthouses should be allocated through matching grants-in-aid to state and local government agencies and to nonprofit organizations. The Department of Environmental Protection may assist the Division of Historical Resources in projects to accomplish lighthouse identification, assessment, restoration, and interpretation.

(1) The Legislature finds that the conservation of natural areas is vital to the state’s economy and ecology. The Legislature further finds that rapid increases in population and development throughout Florida threaten the integrity of the environment and limit opportunities for citizens and visitors to enjoy the state’s natural areas. The Legislature further finds that inappropriate and poorly planned land uses overburden natural resources and disrupt the state’s ecology. Finally, the Legislature finds that the quality of life, environmental quality, as well as the viability and vitality of the urban areas of this state are directly linked to urban open space and greenways. The creation of greenways; expansion of green spaces; enhancement of recreation areas; preservation of working waterfronts; and protection and restoration of urban lakes, rivers, and watersheds in the urban areas of this state are necessary to link populated areas with natural areas, preserve unique cultural and heritage sites, provide land for recreational opportunities to enhance the health and well-being of the urban residents of this state, improve water quality, reduce the level of urban crime and violence, and build confidence and self-esteem among the urban youth of this state.

(2) The Legislature recognizes that the primary responsibility for establishing well-planned land use rests at the local government level through the implementation of comprehensive plans. The Legislature also recognizes that many of the goals and objectives of these comprehensive plans will not be met through regulation, but require creative and innovative action to ensure their accomplishment.

(3) It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a nonregulatory agency that will assist local governments in bringing local comprehensive plans into compliance and implementing the goals, objectives, and policies of the conservation, recreation and open space, and coastal elements of local comprehensive plans, or in conserving natural resources and resolving land use conflicts by:

(a) Responding promptly and creatively to opportunities to correct undesirable development patterns, restore degraded natural areas, enhance resource values, restore deteriorated or deteriorating urban waterfronts, preserve working waterfronts, reserve lands for later purchase, participate in and promote the use of innovative land acquisition methods, and provide public access to surface waters.

(b) Providing financial and technical assistance to local governments, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations to carry out projects and activities and to develop programs authorized by this part.

(c) Involving local governments and private interests in voluntarily resolving land use conflicts and issues.

380.503 Definitions.—As used in ss. 380.501-380.515, unless the context indicates a different meaning or intent:

(1) “Comprehensive plan” means a plan that meets the requirements of ss. 163.3177, 163.3178, and 163.3191.

(2) “Department” means the Department of Community Affairs.

(3) “Local government” means a county or municipality.

(4) “Metropolitan” means a population area consisting of a central city with adjacent cities and smaller surrounding communities: a major urban area and its environs.

(5) “Nonprofit organization” means any private nonprofit organization, existing under the provisions of s. 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, which has among its principal goals the conservation of natural resources or protection of the environment.

(6) “Program” means a plan that is established or will be established by a local government to create innovative approaches that will assist in the implementation of the conservation, recreation and open space, or coastal management elements of the local comprehensive plan, such as a transfer of development rights program or an environmental or recreational land acquisition program.

(7) “Project” means any work on, improvement to, or acquisition of real property, buildings, or any other property.

(8) “Public access project” means action taken pursuant to this part to create or improve public accessways to surface waters.

(9) “Real property” means any interest in land and may also include any appurtenances and improvements to the land.

(10) “Redevelopment project” means action taken pursuant to this part to correct undesirable development patterns.

(11) “Resource enhancement project” means action taken pursuant to this part to restore, as nearly as possible, degraded natural areas to their original condition or to enhance the resource values of a natural area.

(12) “Site reservation” means temporarily acquiring and holding areas identified for public use, then transferring the land to an appropriate state agency, local government, or nonprofit organization for management for public use.

(13) “Surface waters” means publicly owned waters upon the surface of the earth, whether contained in bounds created naturally or artificially or diffused.

(14) “Trust” means the Florida Communities Trust created pursuant to this part.

(15) “Urban area” means an area of or for development characterized by social, economic, and institutional activities that are predominantly based on the manufacture, production, distribution, or provision of goods and services, in a setting that typically includes residential and nonresidential development uses other than those characteristic of rural areas.

(16) “Urban greenways and open space project” means action taken pursuant to this part to acquire lands or interest in lands to create a linear open space protected and managed as part of linked conservation lands or recreational opportunities in an urban area, or to preserve open space or historic sites to enhance recreational and cultural opportunities in an urban area.

(17) “Urban waterfront restoration project” means action taken pursuant to this part to restore deteriorated or deteriorating urban waterfronts for public use and enjoyment.

(18) “Working waterfront” means:

(a) A parcel or parcels of land directly used for the purposes of the commercial harvest of marine organisms or saltwater products by state-licensed commercial fishermen, aquaculturists, or business entities, including piers, wharves, docks, or other facilities operated to provide waterfront access to licensed commercial fishermen, aquaculturists, or business entities; or

(b) A parcel or parcels of land used for exhibitions, demonstrations, educational venues, civic events, and other purposes that promote and educate the public about economic, cultural, and historic heritage of Florida’s traditional working waterfronts, including the marketing of the seafood and aquaculture industries.

(1) There is created within the Department of Community Affairs a nonregulatory state agency and instrumentality, which shall be a public body corporate and politic, known as the “Florida Communities Trust.” The governing body of the trust shall consist of:

(a) The Secretary of Community Affairs and the Secretary of Environmental Protection; and

(b) Four public members whom the Governor shall appoint subject to Senate confirmation.

The Governor shall appoint a former elected official of a county government, a former elected official of a metropolitan municipal government, a representative of a nonprofit organization as defined in this part, and a representative of the development industry. The Secretary of Community Affairs may designate his or her assistant secretary or the director of the Division of Community Planning to serve in his or her absence. The Secretary of Environmental Protection may appoint his or her deputy secretary, the director of the Division of State Lands, or the director of the Division of Recreation and Parks to serve in his or her absence. The Secretary of Community Affairs shall be the chair of the governing body of the trust. The Governor shall make his or her appointments upon the expiration of any current terms or within 60 days after the effective date of the resignation of any member.

(2) Of the initial governing body members, two of the Governor’s appointees shall serve for a term of 2 years and the remaining one shall serve for a term of 4 years from the date of appointment. Thereafter, governing body members whom the Governor appoints shall serve for terms of 4 years. The Governor may fill any vacancy for an unexpired term.

(3) Governing body members shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be entitled to the necessary expenses, including per diem and travel expenses, incurred in the discharge of their duties pursuant to this part, as provided by law.

380.505 Meetings; quorum; voting.—The powers of the trust shall be vested in its governing body members. The governing body may delegate such powers to department staff as it deems necessary. Four members of the governing body shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting its business and exercising its powers and for all other purposes. However, the governing body may take action only upon an affirmative vote of at least four members. The governing body shall meet at least quarterly, and may meet more often at the call of the chair or upon an affirmative vote of three members.

380.507 Powers of the trust.—The trust shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes and provisions of this part, including:

(1) To make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers of the trust.

(2) To undertake, coordinate, or fund activities and projects which will help bring local comprehensive plans into compliance and help implement the goals, objectives, and policies of the conservation, recreation and open space, and coastal elements of local comprehensive plans, or which will otherwise serve to conserve natural resources and resolve land use conflicts, including, but not limited to:

(a) Redevelopment projects.

(b) Resource enhancement projects.

(c) Public access projects.

(d) Urban waterfront restoration projects.

(e) Site reservation.

(f) Urban greenways and open space projects.

(g) Working waterfronts.

(3) To provide technical and financial assistance to local governments, state agencies, water management districts, regional planning councils, and nonprofit agencies to carry out projects and activities and develop programs to achieve the purposes of this part.

(4) To acquire and dispose of real and personal property or any interest therein when necessary or appropriate to protect the natural environment, provide public access or public recreational facilities, including the Florida National Scenic Trail, preserve wildlife habitat areas, provide access for managing acquired lands, or otherwise carry out the purposes of this part. If the trust acquires land for permanent state ownership, title to such land shall be vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund; otherwise, title to property acquired in partnership with a county or municipality shall vest in the name of the local government. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the trust may enter into an option agreement to purchase lands included in projects approved according to this part, when necessary to reserve lands during the preparation of project plans and during acquisition proceedings. The consideration for an option shall not exceed $100,000.

(5) To acquire interests in land by means of land exchanges, and to enter into all alternatives to the acquisition of fee interests in land, including the acquisition of conservation easements, life estates, leases, and leaseback arrangements. The trust may accept donations of any interest in land.

(6) To award grants and make loans to local governments and nonprofit organizations for the purposes listed in subsection (2) and for acquiring fee title and less than fee title, such as conservation easements or other interests in land, for the purposes of this part.

(7) To provide by grant or loan up to the total cost of any project approved according to this part, including the local share of federally supported projects. The trust may require local funding participation in projects. The trust shall determine the funding it will provide by considering the total amount of funding available for the project, the fiscal resources of other project participants, the urgency of the project relative to other eligible projects, and other factors which the trust shall have prescribed by rule. The trust may fund up to 100 percent of any local government land acquisition costs, if part of an approved project.

(8) After notification to the local government involved, to undertake or to authorize a nonprofit organization to undertake any project or activity, or portion of a project or activity, approved according to this part, which the local government is unable to undertake or becomes unable to complete.

(9) To invest any funds held in reserves or sinking funds, or any funds not required for immediate disbursement, in such investments as may be authorized for trust funds under s. 215.47, and in any other authorized investments, if such investments are made on behalf of the trust by the State Board of Administration.

(10) To contract for and to accept gifts, grants, loans, or other aid from the United States Government or any person or corporation, including gifts of real property or any interest in real property.

(11) To make rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this part and to exercise any power granted in this part, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 120. The trust shall adopt rules governing the acquisition of lands using proceeds from the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund and the Florida Forever Trust Fund, consistent with the intent expressed in the Florida Forever Act. Such rules for land acquisition must include, but are not limited to, procedures for appraisals and confidentiality consistent with ss. 125.355(1)(a) and (b) and 166.045(1)(a) and (b), a method of determining a maximum purchase price, and procedures to assure that the land is acquired in a voluntarily negotiated transaction, surveyed, conveyed with marketable title, and examined for hazardous materials contamination. Land acquisition procedures of a local land authority created pursuant to s. 380.0663 or s. 380.0677 may be used for the land acquisition programs described by ss. 259.101(3)(c) and 259.105 if within areas of critical state concern designated pursuant to s. 380.05, subject to approval of the trust.

(12) To contract with private consultants and nonprofit organizations for professional and technical assistance and advice.

(13) To make and execute agreements, contracts, and other instruments necessary or convenient in the exercise of the powers and functions of the trust under this part, including contracts with any person, firm, corporation, local government, or other entity. The trust may contract for real estate services for the acquisition or disposal of land and may pay reasonable real estate commission fees for such services. All local governments established under the laws of the state may enter into and do all things necessary to perform such contracts and otherwise cooperate with the trust to achieve the purposes of this part.

(14) To conduct promotional campaigns, including advertising, for the sale of communities trust license plates authorized in s. 320.08058.

(1) The trust shall request appropriate state agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and other public and private groups to assist in the formulation of criteria and guidelines for the development and evaluation of projects, which the trust shall adopt by rule. The project application process, as adopted by rule, must not be burdensome to any local government, and the trust shall provide technical and administrative assistance to any local government applicant which requests assistance in completing an application.

(2) The chair of the governing body of the trust may establish an advisory committee consisting of representatives of appropriate state agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and other public and private groups to assist the department in analyzing and reviewing specific project proposals for the trust.

(3) In accordance with procedures adopted by the trust, local governments and nonprofit organizations may propose projects for the trust to consider for funding or technical assistance. When a local government demonstrates the need for assistance in preparing a project proposal, the trust, whenever possible, shall provide such assistance.

(4) Projects or activities which the trust undertakes, coordinates, or funds in any manner shall comply with the following guidelines:

(a) The purpose of redevelopment projects shall be to restore areas which are adversely affected by scattered ownership, poor lot layout, inadequate park and open space, incompatible land uses, or other conditions which endanger the environment or impede orderly development. Grants and loans awarded for redevelopment projects shall be used for assembling parcels of land within redevelopment project areas for the redesign of such areas and for the installation of public improvements required to serve such areas. After redesign and installation of public improvements, if any, lands in redevelopment projects, with the exception of lands acquired for public purposes, shall be conveyed to any person for development in accordance with a redevelopment project plan approved according to this part.

(b) The purpose of resource enhancement projects shall be to enhance natural resources which, because of indiscriminate dredging or filling, improper location of improvements, natural or human-induced events, or incompatible land uses, have suffered loss of natural and scenic values. Grants and loans awarded for resource enhancement projects shall be used for the assembly of parcels of land to improve resource management, for relocation of improperly located or designed improvements, and for other corrective measures which will enhance the natural and scenic character of project areas.

(c) The purpose of public access projects shall be to acquire interests in and initially develop lands which are suitable for and which will be used for public accessways to surface waters. The trust shall identify local governments and nonprofit organizations which will accept responsibility for maintenance and liability for public accessways which are located outside the state park system. The trust may lease any public access site developed under this part to a local government or nonprofit organization, provided that the conditions of the lease guarantee public use of the site. The trust may accept, from any local government or nonprofit organization, fees collected for providing public access to surface waters. The trust shall expend any such funds it accepts only for acquisition, development, and maintenance of such public accessways. To the maximum extent possible, the trust shall expend such fees in the general area where they are collected or in areas where public access to surface waters is clearly deficient. The trust may transfer funds, including such fees, to a local government or nonprofit organization to acquire public access sites. In developing or coordinating public access projects, the trust shall ensure that project plans involving beach access are consistent with state laws governing beach access.

(d) The purpose of urban waterfront restoration projects shall be to restore deteriorated or deteriorating urban waterfronts for public use and enjoyment. Urban waterfront restoration projects shall include public access sites.

(e) The purpose of working waterfront projects shall be to restore and preserve working waterfronts as provided in s. 380.5105.

(f) The trust shall cooperate with local governments, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations in ensuring the reservation of lands for parks, recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, historical preservation, or scientific study. In the event that any local government, state agency, federal agency, or nonprofit organization is unable, due to limited financial resources or other circumstances of a temporary nature, to acquire a site for the purposes described in this paragraph, the trust may acquire and hold the site for subsequent conveyance to the appropriate governmental agency or nonprofit organization. The trust may provide such technical assistance as is required to aid local governments, state and federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations in completing acquisition and related functions. The trust shall not reserve lands acquired in accordance with this paragraph for more than 5 years from the time of acquisition. A local government, federal or state agency, or nonprofit organization may acquire the land at any time during this period for public purposes. The purchase price shall be based upon the trust’s cost of acquisition, plus administrative and management costs in reserving the land. The payment of this purchase price shall be by money, trust-approved property of an equivalent value, or a combination of money and trust-approved property. If, after the 5-year period, the trust has not sold to a governmental agency or nonprofit organization land acquired for site reservation, the trust shall dispose of such land at fair market value or shall trade it for other land of comparable value which will serve to accomplish the purposes of this part. Any proceeds from the sale of such land shall be deposited in the Florida Communities Trust Fund.

Project costs may include costs of providing parks, open space, public access sites, scenic easements, and other areas and facilities serving the public where such features are part of a project plan approved according to this part. In undertaking or coordinating projects or activities authorized by this part, the trust shall, when appropriate, use and promote the use of creative land acquisition methods, including the acquisition of less than fee interest through, among other methods, conservation easements, transfer of development rights, leases, and leaseback arrangements. The trust also shall assist local governments in the use of sound alternative methods of financing for funding projects and activities authorized by this part. Any funds over and above eligible project costs, which remain after completion of a project approved according to this part, shall be transmitted to the state and deposited in the Florida Communities Trust Fund.

(5) The governing body of the trust shall approve projects, project plans, grants, and loans according to rules which it shall have adopted and which are consistent with the provisions of this part. In reviewing project plans and grant and loan applications, the trust shall seek to promote excellence of design and shall encourage projects which integrate structures into the natural environment.

(6) Following approval of a proposed project, the trust may provide up to the total cost of preparing a project plan.

(7) The trust shall ensure that each local government within which a project is located or partially located participates in developing the project plan to make certain that the plan is consistent with each affected local government’s comprehensive plan. The trust shall include within its rules a process whereby affected local governments shall make a final determination of a project plan’s consistency with local comprehensive plans.

(8) The trust shall coordinate its activities with other state agencies responsible for land use, environmental protection, and land acquisition to avoid unnecessary duplication and to solicit the help and expertise of existing state personnel.

(1) The trust may seek repayment of funds loaned pursuant to this part on terms and conditions as it deems appropriate to carry out the provisions of this part.

(2) Trust loan applications may include a requirement that the loan include all reasonable and necessary administrative costs that the trust incurs in processing and administering the loan application.

(3) In the case of a grant or loan for land acquisition, agreements shall provide all of the following:

(a) The trust shall approve the terms under which the interest in land is acquired.

(b) The transfer of land acquired with a trust grant or loan shall be subject to the approval of the trust, and the trust shall enter into a new agreement with the transferee, containing such covenants, reverter clauses, or other restrictions as are sufficient to protect the interest of the people of Florida.

(c) The interest in land acquired with a loan or grant from the trust may not serve as security for any debt the grantee or borrower incurs unless the trust approves the transaction.

(d) If any essential term or condition of a grant or loan is violated, title to all interest in real property acquired with state funds shall be conveyed or revert to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. The trust shall treat such property in accordance with s. 380.508(4)(f).

(e) If the existence of a nonprofit organization or local government terminates for any reason, title to all interest in real property it has acquired with state funds shall be conveyed or revert to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, unless the trust negotiates an agreement with another local government or nonprofit organization which agrees to accept title to all interest in and to manage the property.

(f) The term of any grant using funds received from the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund, pursuant to s. 259.101(3)(c), shall be for a period not to exceed 24 months. The governing board of the trust may offer a grant with a shorter term and may extend a grant beyond 24 months when the grant recipient demonstrates that significant progress is being made toward closing the project or that extenuating circumstances warrant an extension of time. If a local government project which was awarded a grant is not closed within 24 months and the governing board of the trust does not grant an extension, the grant reverts to the trust’s unencumbered balance of Preservation 2000 funds to be redistributed to other eligible projects. The local government may reapply for a grant to fund the project in the trust’s next application cycle.

Any deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby a nonprofit organization or local government acquires real property under this section shall set forth the interest of the state. The trust shall keep at least one copy of any such instrument and shall provide at least one copy to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund.

(4) The trust shall require in a grant or loan agreement terms sufficient to protect the public interest in any improvement or development constructed under a grant or loan to a nonprofit organization or local government. The agreement shall describe with particularity any real property which is subject to the agreement, and the trust shall record the agreement in the county in which the real property is located.

(5) Any funds the trust collects from a nonprofit organization or local government under a grant or loan agreement shall be deposited in the Florida Communities Trust Fund.

(6) Funds the trust loans for land acquisition may, in part, be used to pay reasonable real estate commission fees.

(7) Any funds received by the trust from the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund pursuant to s. 259.101(3)(c) and the Florida Forever Trust Fund pursuant to s. 259.105(3)(c) shall be held separate and apart from any other funds held by the trust and shall be used for the land acquisition purposes of this part. In addition to the other conditions set forth in this section, the disbursement of Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever funds from the trust shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) The administration and use of any funds received by the trust from the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund and the Florida Forever Trust Fund shall be subject to such terms and conditions imposed thereon by the agency of the state responsible for the bonds, the proceeds of which are deposited in the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund and the Florida Forever Trust Fund, including restrictions imposed to ensure that the interest on any such bonds issued by the state as tax-exempt bonds will not be included in the gross income of the holders of such bonds for federal income tax purposes.

(b) All deeds or leases with respect to any real property acquired with funds received by the trust from the Preservation 2000 Trust Fund shall contain such covenants and restrictions as are sufficient to ensure that the use of such real property at all times complies with s. 375.051 and s. 9, Art. XII of the State Constitution. All deeds or leases with respect to any real property acquired with funds received by the trust from the Florida Forever Trust Fund shall contain such covenants and restrictions as are sufficient to ensure that the use of such real property at all times complies with s. 11(e), Art. VII of the State Constitution. Each deed or lease shall contain a reversion, conveyance, or termination clause that will vest title in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund if any of the covenants or restrictions are violated by the titleholder or leaseholder or by some third party with the knowledge of the titleholder or leaseholder.

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, it is the intent of the Legislature that the trust shall administer the working waterfronts program as set forth in this section.

(2) The trust and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall jointly develop rules specifically establishing an application process and a process for the evaluation, scoring and ranking of working waterfront acquisition projects. The proposed rules jointly developed pursuant to this subsection shall be promulgated by the trust. Such rules shall establish a system of weighted criteria to give increased priority to projects:

(a) Within a municipality with a population less than 30,000;

(b) Within a municipality or area under intense growth and development pressures, as evidenced by a number of factors, including a determination that the municipality’s growth rate exceeds the average growth rate for the state;

(c) Within the boundary of a community redevelopment agency established pursuant to s. 163.356;

(d) Adjacent to state-owned submerged lands designated as an aquatic preserve identified in s. 258.39; or

(e) That provide a demonstrable benefit to the local economy.

(3) For projects that will require more than the grant amount awarded for completion, the applicant must identify in their project application funding sources that will provide the difference between the grant award and the estimated project completion cost. Such rules may be incorporated into those developed pursuant to s. 380.507(11).

(4) The trust shall develop a ranking list based on criteria identified in subsection (2) for proposed fee simple and less-than-fee simple acquisition projects developed pursuant to this section. The trust shall, by the first Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund meeting in February, present the ranking list pursuant to this section to the board of trustees for final approval of projects for funding. The board of trustees may remove projects from the ranking list but may not add projects.

(5) Grant awards, acquisition approvals, and terms of less-than-fee acquisitions shall be approved by the trust. Waterfront communities that receive grant awards must submit annual progress reports to the trust identifying project activities which are complete, and the progress achieved in meeting the goals outlined in the project application. The trust must implement a process to monitor and evaluate the performance of grant recipients in completing projects that are funded through the working waterfronts program.

History.—s. 24, ch. 2008-229.

380.511 Florida Communities Trust Fund.—

(1) There is created the Florida Communities Trust Fund as a nonlapsing, revolving fund for projects, activities, acquisitions, and operating expenses necessary to carry out this part. The fund shall be held and administered by the trust. The following shall be credited to or deposited in the Florida Communities Trust Fund:

(a) All moneys and revenue from the operation, management, sale, lease, or other disposition of land, water areas, related resources, and the facilities thereon acquired or constructed under this part.

(b) Moneys accruing to any agency for the purposes listed in this part.

(c) Proceeds from the sale of environmental license plates authorized in s. 320.08058(5).

(d) Other moneys as the Legislature authorizes.

All moneys so deposited into the Florida Communities Trust Fund shall be trust funds for the uses and purposes set forth in this section, within the meaning of s. 215.32(1)(b); and such moneys shall not become or be commingled with the General Revenue Fund of the state, as defined by s. 215.32(1)(a).

(2) The trust may expend any moneys in the Florida Communities Trust Fund to acquire land, water areas, and related resources; to provide technical assistance to local governments to establish transfer of development rights programs within their jurisdictions; and to construct, improve, enlarge, extend, operate, and maintain capital improvements and facilities in accordance with this part, except as limited by s. 380.510(7).

(3) The trust may disburse moneys in the Florida Communities Trust Fund to pay all necessary expenses to carry out the purposes of this part, except as limited by s. 380.510(7).

380.5115 Florida Forever Program Trust Fund of the Department of Community Affairs.—

(1) There is created a Florida Forever Program Trust Fund within the Department of Community Affairs to further the purposes of this part as specified in s. 259.105(3)(c) and (j). The trust fund shall receive funds pursuant to s. 259.105(3)(c) and (j).

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year shall remain in the trust fund at the end of the year and shall be available for carrying out the purposes of the trust fund.

(3) Pursuant to the provisions of s. 19(f)(2), Art. III of the State Constitution, the trust fund shall, unless terminated sooner, be terminated on July 1, 2014. Prior to its scheduled termination, the trust fund shall be reviewed as provided in s. 215.3206(1) and (2).

History.—s. 1, ch. 2000-281; s. 19, ch. 2008-229; s. 2, ch. 2010-18.

380.512 Annual report.—The trust shall submit to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the minority leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate, within 3 months after the end of its fiscal year, a complete and detailed report setting forth:

(1) Its operations and accomplishments.

(2) Its receipts and expenditures during the fiscal year, in accordance with the categories or classifications the trust establishes for its operating and capital outlay purposes.

(3) Its assets and liabilities at the end of its fiscal year and the status of reserve, special, or other funds.

(4) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the projects undertaken in carrying out this part.

(5) Identification of additional funding, legislation, or other resources required to carry out the objectives of this part more effectively.

(6) An account of any other trust or department duties established by this part.

380.513 Corporate existence.—The trust and its corporate existence shall continue until terminated by law. Upon termination of the agency, all its rights and properties in excess of its obligations shall pass to and be vested in the state.

380.514 Inconsistent provisions of other laws superseded.—If the provisions of this part are inconsistent with the provisions of any other law, general, special, or local, the provisions of this part shall be controlling.